Hozier – Unreal Unearth

Hozier

Unreal Unearth

By: Kassidy Wiskari

Hozier is one of my favorite artists of all time. I have been obsessed with his music since high school, so when he released a new album in August of 2023, I was overjoyed. This album is titled Unreal Unearth and it is exactly that: unreal. Hozier somehow knows exactly how to put together a perfect track list every time, from the pop sound of “Eat Your Young” to the angelic choral tone of “De Selby (Part 1).” He also throws some of his classic folk sound in with “First Time” and “Francesca.” Something that is really surprising, though, is that this is only his third studio album since 2014. You can definitely tell how much passion and work he puts into each one, so I’ll give him a pass for keeping us waiting. 

One of the main things I love about this album is how different every song is from the last. This is especially relevant in the first two tracks “De Selby (Part 1)” and “De Selby (Part 2).” The first track is angelic, choral, beautiful and makes you absolutely transcend, then it melds into the next track which is funky, powerful and catchy and you’re all like “WHAT JUST HAPPENED??” Another time this happens in this album is in “Damage Gets Done (feat. Brandi Carlile).” This upbeat, synth-heavy pop sound is so different from what we have heard from Hozier before, so it was really interesting to hear how he spins pop music for himself. He’s been mainstream with tracks like “Take Me To Church,” but he has mostly stuck to a mix of folk, rock, and jazz in the past, so it definitely was exciting and unexpected to hear some more pop sound on this project. The most notable pop-sounding track on this album, though, was definitely “Eat Your Young.” This song was definitely the front runner and hit the billboard charts pretty quickly. I, personally, have this song on repeat and I absolutely love when it comes on the radio. 

Some other highlights are Hozier’s amazing songwriting; “I, Carrion (Icarian)” is absolute poetry through and through. The imagery is powerful and emotional, but simple at the same time. That is something that Hozier always does well: he makes mundane things into poetry without over complicating. Most of his lyricism is subtly metaphorical while having an overarching storyline. “First Time” also does this so well with the lyrics:

“Some part of me must have died

The first time that you called me baby

And some part of me came alive 

The first time that you called me baby”

These simple but powerful lyrics can be interpreted in different ways by the audience, which makes them so much more personal and builds a connection.

Overall, I loved this album. Hozier is always raising the bar for us and I can’t recommend listening to everything he puts out enough. To me, Hozier is a no skip artist, and this is a no skip album. I would definitely recommend going on a long drive or walk at sunset with Unreal Unearth playing. The experience will be transformative to your mind & soul.

P.S. Hozier if you’re reading this please add a Chicago show into the tour 

Favorites: De Selby (Part 2), Unknown / Nth, Francesca, First Time

Rating: 11/10