Hozier, Better Love | Track Review 🎵

Although quite loud, “Better Love” (from The Legend of Tarzan) is epic and shows why Hozier is an intriguing artist.

In 2014, singer/songwriter Hozier was sorta, “kind of a big deal.” Why? Hozier dropped one of the year’s greatest songs, “Take Me to Church.”  Not only was “Take Me To Church” epic in itself, his accompanying album, simply titled Hozier, was pretty awesome itself.  Besides “Take Me To Church,” Hozier included gems like the gospel-driven “Work Song”, the enigmatic “Angel of Small Death and the Codeine Scene”, and the grooving soul joint “Jackie and Wilson”. That list also excludes “Someone New”, “From Eden”, and “Cherry Wine.”   Basically, Hozier is the sh…

So after a long break sans Hozier, the long-haired Irish singer/songwriter stud returns with “Better Love,” a track from the upcoming motion picture, The Legend of Tarzan.  Here’s the thing.  Songs written for a film can be truly great (Elton John’s “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” is a classic) or they can be forgettable or a dud.  The chances of “Better Love” being the next “Take Me to Church” are slim to none – not gonna happen.  BUT, “Better Love” has some redeeming qualities.

Much like “Take Me to Church,” “Better Love” is dynamic and exciting.  The beginning of “Better Love” is enigmatic to the nth degree, keeping the listener wondering where and how Hozier is going to propel the cut forward.  Soon enough, pummeling drums enter in to add extra oomph.  By the refrain, more cards are shown – he is assertive, showcasing full vocal strength.  Even if the rather loud first refrain seems as if it is the surefire peak of the instrumentation and passion, “Better Love” only grows fuller, stronger, and of course LOUDER.  LOUD would be the key word.

Final Thoughts

So to reiterate, “Better Love” is quite loud.  Maybe it doesn’t possess the finesse of “Take Me to Church,” but it certainly is epic in its own right and shows why Hozier is an intriguing artist.  He has a fantastic voice and even if “Better Love” overreaches by cramming too much and one too many fortes, the passion, assertiveness, and drama of this record is perfectly suited for him. “There’s no better love,” after all.

Hozier • Better Love from The Legend of Tarzan • Rubyworks/Warner Bros. • Release: 6.17.16

Photo Credit: Rubyworks/Warner Bros.