FRESHERS ISSUE 2023 SCAN Lancaster University

18 M U S I C
SCANLU SCANLancaster scan.lancastersu.co.uk
Hozier’s Glorious Comeback with Third
Album Unreal Unearth Amidst a Massive
World Tour
Lexi Joyce
MUSIC EDITOR
a level of angst not normally seen in Hozier. Exciting to see these new
influences in his work.
Irish musician, Hozier, is a decade into his career, and his
latest work may be his best yet. Best described as a powerful
indie-folk musician with almost blues influence.
Hozier’s mythical and literary themes are a constant through his
previous two albums, Hozier (2014) and Wasteland, Baby! (2019).
Though his third studio album, Unreal Unearth
seems to be his most experimental yet, and it’s
been met with huge success.
A deeply personal edge has been added to this album, not seen
before, through his Gaelic words. So, let’s dive deeper into this
beautifully crafted album.
Immediately I noticed more of an R&B influence, even integrated
into his Irish heritage in ‘De Selby pt. 1’ entirely in Gaelic. This album
marks the birth of a new fusing of genres. The complexity of the
singles really shows the depths of Hozier’s work.
This creates an experience for listeners to ascend through the great
capability of his work and personal reflections. ‘Francesca’ is an
alt-rock, almost power ballad, and ‘Unknown/Nth’ has beautifully
haunting lyricism. Perfect for a yearning mood.
Also, ‘Eat Your Young’ and ‘All Things End’ were released earlier
in the year as part of a three-song EP. These have more gospelinfluence,
with the layering of harmonies and a new nine-part band,
which Hozier expressed as being proud to work with. Whilst ‘De
Selby pt.2’ is straight-up rock with some dynamic guitar pieces, and
FLO 3 of Us: EP Review
Efe Imoyin-Omene
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
If you don’t know FLO, who are you, what rock have you
been living under and how much is the rent? For my rock
brethren, FLO are a Black British R&B/Pop girl group who’ve
been on a meteoric rise ever since their debut single
Cardboard Box ascended to virality in March 2022.
Since then, Stella, Jorja and Renée have performed for the two
Jimmy’s (Kimmel and Fallon), MOBOs Awards, Soul Train Awards,
Capital’s Summertime Ball, Glastonbury and MTV Push as well as
snagging 3 BET Award nominations and becoming the 1st girl group
in history to win the BRITs Rising Star award.
They are gearing up to release their muchanticipated
debut album. Oh, and they reached
333,000 Instagram followers, which brings us
to Monday July 3rd.
I’m at my desk, scrolling through my phone between tasks on my
internship when suddenly an Instagram notification struts across
my screen. FLO are going live! I love them. I want to watch. I need to
work. I continue work thinking that they wouldn’t share something
Pendle
Lonsdale
Hozier’s storytelling remains profound,
something closely attached to his art.
Ever since his first single, ‘Take Me to Church’, recorded in his
parent’s basement, which sparked his fame a decade ago. I love how
the album is separated into the metaphysical sense of chapters,
based on Dante’s Inferno, taking us through the Mediaeval tragedy’s
nine circles of hell.
Hozier adapts this and separates the songs
thematically based on how they represent
Inferno’s literary scenes, based on ideas of
relationships, discovery, and his experience
with Covid-19. Which is genius, and both
uplifting and heart-breaking.
On top of this intricate, heartfelt album, Hozier is on a world tour.
Having just finished the first leg through the UK this summer. I got to
visit him in Glasgow, in June, and it was truly a religious experience.
From the engagement with the crowd, and
Hozier’s collaborative works on the stage with
his supporting acts, you can tell this tour is a
highlight of his career.
His recent tour was met with massive success, with many shows
selling out quickly, and his joys with working with a new artist and
similarly profound artists. He seems to be constantly elevating his
legacy as an artist.
major on a random Monday afternoon. Good thing I don’t get paid
for thinking. Well, not really.
When I’d left the building, FLO, in celebration of their aforementioned
Instagram milestone, had released a surprise 3 song EP with the
previously teased ‘Control Freak’ and ‘Change’ and brand-new song,
3 of Us. Needless to say, the train delays weren’t the only eventful
thing about my journey home.
Just like their first EP The Lead, 3 of Us
continues FLO’s unique blend of nostalgia and
innovation, embodying the fiercely feminine
spirit of their foremothers Destiny’s Child,
Cleopatra, The Cheetah Girls (and others)
while showcasing their alluring individuality.
The EP is predominantly R&B, exploring familiar themes of disloyal
lovers and female empowerment. Flares of Caribbean music are
especially prominent on ‘Change’, a song where the trio caution
girls away from guys stagnated in mediocrity. Thematically, it bears
a comforting resemblance to ‘Girl’ by Destiny’s Child.
‘Girl, I know/I know it gets so hard /Tryna save a love/When it only
brings you pain/Woah, you need to go/Before he breaks your heart/
Cartmel
The album also includes a track featuring Brandi Carlile, which is
very exciting since Hozier limits who he collaborates with. The song,
‘Damage Gets Done’ is about being young and reckless, making
mistakes and having the safety net of naivety. Which I can relate to
as a university student.
With this album, I’m excited to see how Hozier
elevates his music career and goes forth with
his upcoming tour dates.
But don’t worry if you missed out because the ‘Unreal Unearth’
section of the tour brings new dates. So, check out tickets if you want
to catch him this December.
Grizedale
Photos (top to
bottom):
@ruthlessimagery
on Instagram and
@flolikethis on
Instagram.
He’s just another player in the game/He will never change’ - FLO,
Change
What has always been admirable about FLO is that, unlike past
groups where the breakout solo star was clear as day from the first
gratuitous riff, each member is given ample room to shine without
leaving the other in the shadows.
This is especially apparent on 3 of Us where they discover they have
been three-timed by a guy who used ‘past relationships’ as an excuse
for his refusal to ‘commit’. The song starts with the ladies trying to
prove that their relationship with a dude who ‘prolly got three, four,
five kids/With them other girls on his list’ is the best, reminiscent of
‘The Boy Is Mine’ by Brandy and Monica.
This dude told Reneé that she was ‘his only’ while introducing Stella
to ‘his homies’ but that’s child’s play to Jorja who ‘… met his heart
and soul’. In the chorus they finally realise that this is a ‘scam’ and
an ‘exit plan’ is very much needed.
Overall, 3 of Us is an incredible addition to their consistently solid
discography. However, as they head towards the release of their
debut album, it would be nice if their lyrical content could become
as diverse as their harmonies.
County
Lana is never beating the witch allegations,
or the sad girl ringleader, either way, she
matches the spooky vibes of Pendle perfectly.
The album talks about the world and mind of
freedom and recovering from deep sadness,
which is always nice. Got the thick skin of
the Lonsdale dragon.
Purple, thoughts on growing up, love and
loss and discovering yourself, and Cartmel
seems to be a very self-assured, confident
college, certainly fitting Taylor’s vibe.
This is Why by Paramore is perfectly upbeat
for the cocktail college, the sixth album by
Paramore. This heartfelt lyricism and punchy
instrumentals are an encouragement to get
through life in those townhouses.
Attention-grabbing, lively elements of
hip&hop, an indie classic, which is the vibe
always playing in County bar. Despite this
being their eighth studio album, this is
greatly solid work.