Hozier - ‘Swan Upon Leda’

Trigger Warning! Themes Of Sexual Abuse & Abortion!

Irish singer-songwriter Hozier is back following 2019s critically acclaimed 'Wasteland, Baby' and 2021s collaboration with MEDUZA entitled 'Tell It To My Heart', with his latest single 'Swan Upon Leda'.

The title is a reference to the Greek myth of Leda and the Swan; in which Zeus, while taking the form of a Swan, rapes Leda, the wife to King Tyndareus. Throughout the song this is called back to, and referenced to women's rights in the modern world.

It's a hauntingly beautiful song: with multiple layers and imagery as to be expected by a Hozier song. It opens with soft guitar plucks, and Hozier's warm voice comes in. The first verse is a retelling of the myth that the song is named after, with Hozier singing "A husband waits outside, a crying child pushes a child into the night". The final line of the verse "One more sweet boy to be butchered by man" is used intentionally to show how it's men that have had control over women's rights, and therefore do not understand, or even worse care, about how their actions affect women.

The chorus is delivered with these thick strings, underlying layered vocals, and Hozier's voice is powerful. The lines "Would never belong to angels, had never belonged to man" is another reference to the patriarchal society of the modern world; and that God's and angels did not decide women's rights therefore it should not be given to a man.

The second verse comes back to modern times, moving away from the retelling of Greek mythology. Instead telling a story of an elder woman smuggling medication and drugs across the Irish border for a younger lady to have an abortion. It closes with the lines "someone's frightened boy waves her on, she offers a mother's smiler and soon she's gone" is especially compelling. It humanises the boys that would control the border, many of them young and misunderstanding themselves.

Following another chorus there's a short instrumental interlude, before a final, shorter chorus which ends the track. It's a song I can't recommend more, it's haunting and beautiful and tackles difficult subjects with much care.