Hozier - 'Nobody's Soldier'
World-renowned Irish singer-songwriter Hozier releases three songs that never made it onto his most recent album in the form of new EP, ‘Unaired’ – allowing fans to have a closer look into the mystical world of ‘Unreal Unearth’.
After achieving international fame with his debut single ‘Take Me to Church’, Hozier has produced an impressive array of music, dancing across a variety of genres such as rock, blues, folk, and indie.
His newest single ‘Nobody’s Soldier’ is no exception from his already remarkable set of songs, showcasing his signature blend of soulful vocals, rhythmic beats, and hard-hitting lyrics. Beginning with an undeniably catchy groove and siren-like set of strings, we are thrown headfirst into the haunting realm of ‘Nobody’s Soldier’, exploring the themes of global arms dealing and power imbalances.
Hozier’s swaying, whisper-like vocals are an instant hook to a seemingly upbeat song, although a deeper look into the lyrics and it’s a different story. “If I tell you this is drowning / You’d tell me I’m walking on water / I could bring fire from the mountain / You’d tell me it feels a little colder” paints a painstaking picture of being told what you’re doing isn’t good enough, or you’re just never doing it right. This propels us right into the first chorus, highlighting a resilient defiance to conform: “I don’t wanna choose between being a salesman or a soldier… Honey I’m taking no orders / I’m gonna be nobody’s solider”
Helping to reiterate this message of standing your ground and not being swayed by external pressures, the single is paired with a visually intriguing and powerful music video. Alongside the video’s visuals, the song instantly appears more menacing than before. Simple yet influential snippets of objects such as bombs, gold bars, army helmets, and children’s shoes displaying words such as “SALE”, “COLLATERAL”, “PROFIT”, and “RETURN” makes for a bold statement of a music video. Unsettling segments such as doll body parts being transported along a conveyor belt and wealthy businessmen smiling menacingly into the camera unveils a sickening undercurrent of fraudulence, secrets, and ulterior motives. Combined with clips of Hozier singing along in a variety of settings, it feels well put together and a solid work of art.
With ‘Unaired’ being the second addition to the original album ‘Unreal Unearth’, both new and old fans are pleasantly surprised with Hozier’s recent activity. Although this appears to be the last of the songs stemming from his most recent album, it has confidently set solid ground for his next creation in which his followers are eagerly waiting for.
Words by Cameron Cookson
