Wasteland, Baby! cover art

  Studio Album · No. 2

Wasteland, Baby! Songwriting Credits by Hozier

2019 Rubyworks Records / Island Records 14 tracks 57 min

Produced by Andrew Hozier-Byrne, Markus Dravs, Rob Kirwan, Ariel Rechtshaid  ·  Engineered by Greg Calbi, Mike Crossey, Shawn Everett, Andrew Scheps

Rubyworks Records / Island Records Indie RockSoulFolkBlues
100%
Authorship
Complete Artist

Holds writing credit on 14 of 14 tracks

Authorship Breakdown 14 / 14 documented

Who wrote the songs?

Scored across the 14 tracks with documented writers, by whether Hozier carries a lyricist or composer credit.

100%
14 trackswritten by Hozier 0 tracksoutside writers
Hozier's roles on this album

Share of the 14 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.

Lyricist100%
Composer100%
Producer36%
Performer100%

By the Numbers

14
Tracks
2
Lyricists
4
Producers
1
No.1 Single
2019
Released
Data Insight

Written primarily by Andrew Hozier-Byrne, "Wasteland, Baby!" is Hozier's second studio album and debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, becoming his first chart-topping album in the United States. The record was led by the protest anthem "Nina Cried Power" featuring Mavis Staples, alongside "Movement" and "Almost (Sweet Music)." Its blend of soul, blues and folk pairs apocalyptic imagery with love songs, treating tenderness as a refuge against a collapsing world.

Wasteland, Baby! is Hozier's second studio album, released on 1 March 2019 through Rubyworks Records and Island Records. It debuted at number one on both the Irish Albums Chart and the US Billboard 200, making Hozier the first Irish solo male artist to top the US chart. The album employs a split production approach: Markus Dravs handled the majority of tracks, while Hozier and Rob Kirwan produced three others, and Hozier with Ariel Rechtshaid produced two. 'Nina Cried Power' features Mavis Staples on vocals and Booker T. Jones on organ; Jones also appears on 'Almost (Sweet Music),' 'Movement,' 'Be,' and 'Sunlight.' 'As It Was' is the only track co-written with an outside collaborator, Alex Ryan.

Track Listing & Credits 14 tracks

Written by the artist Written by outside writers
#TitleLyricist(s)Composer(s)Producer(s)Performers
1
Nina Cried Power #1
Hozier Andrew Hozier-Byrne Markus Dravs Andrew Hozier-Byrne (Vocals)Mavis Staples (Vocals)Booker T. Jones (Organ)
2
Almost (Sweet Music) #3
Hozier Andrew Hozier-Byrne Markus Dravs Andrew Hozier-Byrne (Vocals)Booker T. Jones (Organ)
3
Movement #3
Hozier Andrew Hozier-Byrne Markus Dravs Andrew Hozier-Byrne (Vocals)Booker T. Jones (Organ)
4
No Plan
Hozier Andrew Hozier-Byrne Markus Dravs Andrew Hozier-Byrne (Lead Vocals)
5
Nobody
Hozier Andrew Hozier-Byrne Andrew Hozier-ByrneAriel Rechtshaid Andrew Hozier-Byrne (Lead Vocals)
6
To Noise Making (Sing)
Hozier Andrew Hozier-Byrne Andrew Hozier-ByrneAriel Rechtshaid Andrew Hozier-Byrne (Lead Vocals)
7
As It Was
HozierAlex Ryan Andrew Hozier-ByrneAlex Ryan Andrew Hozier-ByrneRob Kirwan Andrew Hozier-Byrne (Lead Vocals)
8
Shrike
Hozier Andrew Hozier-Byrne Andrew Hozier-ByrneRob Kirwan Andrew Hozier-Byrne (Lead Vocals)
9
Talk
Hozier Andrew Hozier-Byrne Markus Dravs Andrew Hozier-Byrne (Lead Vocals)
10
Be
Hozier Andrew Hozier-Byrne Markus Dravs Andrew Hozier-Byrne (Vocals)Booker T. Jones (Organ)
11
Dinner & Diatribes
Hozier Andrew Hozier-Byrne Andrew Hozier-ByrneRob Kirwan Andrew Hozier-Byrne (Lead Vocals)
12
Would That I
Hozier Andrew Hozier-Byrne Markus Dravs Andrew Hozier-Byrne (Lead Vocals)
13
Sunlight
Hozier Andrew Hozier-Byrne Markus Dravs Andrew Hozier-Byrne (Vocals)Booker T. Jones (Organ)
14
Wasteland, Baby!
Hozier Andrew Hozier-Byrne Markus Dravs Andrew Hozier-Byrne (Lead Vocals)

Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 8 contributors

AH
Andrew Hozier-Byrne
Writer · Producer · Vocals
On this album14 written
H
Hozier
Writer
On this album14 written
AR
Alex Ryan
Writer
On this album1 written
MD
Markus Dravs
Producer
On this album9 produced
RK
Rob Kirwan
Producer
On this album3 produced
AR
Ariel Rechtshaid
Producer
On this album2 produced
BT
Booker T. Jones
Organ
On this albumGuest
MS
Mavis Staples
Vocals
On this albumGuest

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Frequently Asked Questions Wasteland, Baby!

Who wrote "Wasteland, Baby!"?
The album was written primarily by Andrew Hozier-Byrne, who performs as Hozier, with co-writing and production help from collaborators including Markus Dravs, Rob Kirwan and Ariel Rechtshaid.
How did "Wasteland, Baby!" perform on the charts?
The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, marking Hozier's first US number-one album. It also topped the Irish Albums Chart and reached number six on the UK Albums Chart.
What is "Nina Cried Power" about?
"Nina Cried Power," the opening track featuring gospel legend Mavis Staples, is a tribute to protest music and the artists who used their voices for social change. Hozier has described it as a thank-you note to the spirit of protest.
Were "Movement" and "Almost (Sweet Music)" singles?
Yes. "Movement" and "Almost (Sweet Music)" were both released as singles from the album. Each peaked at number three on the US Billboard Adult Alternative Songs airplay chart.
What genres does "Wasteland, Baby!" cover?
The album blends soul, blues and folk with gospel choral backing and indie rock textures, building on the sound of Hozier's self-titled debut.
What does the album title mean?
The title track "Wasteland, Baby!" frames love and intimacy as comfort in the face of looming catastrophe. The album as a whole pairs apocalyptic and end-of-the-world imagery with tender love songs.
When was "Wasteland, Baby!" released and on what label?
"Wasteland, Baby!" was released on 1 March 2019 through Rubyworks and Columbia Records. It is Hozier's second studio album, following his 2014 self-titled debut.
Data note: Wikipedia's album page lists no per-track songwriter credits (producers only), and only 3 of 14 tracks have standalone song articles. Discogs confirms the album's only credited writers are Andrew Hozier-Byrne and Alex Ryan, but provides no per-track breakdown, so individual track attribution could not be independently verified.

Sources

Wikipedia: Wasteland, Baby! Wikipedia, Nina Cried Power Wikipedia, Almost (Sweet Music) Billboard, Hozier debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200 Official Charts, Hozier MusicBrainz, Wasteland, Baby! release group Cover Art Archive, front cover Cover Art Archive: Wasteland, Baby! by Hozier