HOZIER – ‘TOO SWEET’

BY JANIN AYALA FELIX | MARCH 22, 2024 | ROCK | TRACKS

Hozier has always thrived in the spaces where the sacred meets the profane, where raw human emotion bumps up against a higher plane of existence. In his latest single, “Too Sweet,” the Irish troubadour once again explores the push-and-pull of human connection—this time through a catchy, retro-tinged track that highlights the clash of lifestyles between him and a partner who’s just, well, too sweet for his taste.

The track opens with a laid-back groove, Hozier’s smooth voice settling into the rhythm like a whisper at the end of a long night. “It can’t be said I’m an early bird / It’s ten o’clock before I say a word,” he croons in the opening lines, establishing a contrast between his nocturnal tendencies and his lover’s sunnier disposition. Right off the bat, “Too Sweet” becomes a conversation between two people living in parallel worlds, one where life is experienced through whiskey neat and coffee black, and the other where the sunrise and soft rain reign supreme.

Musically, “Too Sweet” has an undeniable retro flair, with a groove that harks back to vintage soul and a hint of R&B swagger. The production is simple but effective, allowing Hozier’s lyrical storytelling to take center stage. There’s a subtle playfulness in the rhythm, almost as if the song is winking at you from across the room, drawing you into its intimate, late-night vibe.

As with many of his tracks, Hozier’s lyrics are dense with metaphor and wordplay. “You treat your mouth as if it’s Heaven’s gate / The rest of you like you’re the TSA,” he sings, brilliantly capturing the feeling of being with someone who’s meticulous and controlled, while he’s freewheeling and rough around the edges. There’s a tongue-in-cheek quality to his admissions, as if he’s fully aware of his imperfections but isn’t quite ready to trade them in for a cleaner, more virtuous existence.

And that’s really the heart of “Too Sweet”—the juxtaposition of pleasure and purity, indulgence and restraint. While his partner rises with the sun and seems to have found peace in the healthy, structured life, Hozier finds his freedom in the dark. “I’d rather take my whiskey neat / My coffee black and my bed at three,” he repeats throughout the song, making his case for the beauty of living a little messier, a little more recklessly.

The chorus is instantly memorable, with Hozier’s signature deep croon drawing you in like a siren call. “You’re too sweet for me,” he sings repeatedly, the phrase acting as both a compliment and a confession. It’s the kind of hook that sticks in your head long after the song ends, the repetition giving it a hypnotic, almost mantra-like quality.

There’s a tension here that’s subtle but palpable, as the song explores how differences in lifestyle and philosophy can evolve within a relationship. Yet, it never feels like a lament. Instead, “Too Sweet” plays like a love letter to contrast, to the idea that perhaps opposites don’t need to attract so much as complement each other. While Hozier may not be ready to give up his vices, he also seems to appreciate the light his partner brings into his life—just from a distance.

In “Too Sweet,” Hozier has crafted a sultry, soulful track that blends his love of lyrical depth with a groove that feels effortlessly cool. It’s a song that walks the fine line between indulgence and discipline, making it one of his most accessible—and addictive—tracks to date. Whether you’re sipping whiskey at 3 a.m. or waking up with the sunrise, there’s something in this track for you.

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