As “Unreal Unearth” begins with the creaking of an unfamiliar place, a folk-guitar melody and a gesture into a wide range of emotions and feelings, Hozier pulls the listener in with the ease of a fairytale story and the promise of something extraordinary. This is a consistent promise throughout his latest work of art that never lets up.
Hozier’s third studio album is inspired by Hozier’s experience during the pandemic and produced by Rubyworks Records. In the 10 years following his massive 2013 hit “Take Me to Church,” a single that poignantly painted a portrait of queer bodies struggling to find a place in organized religion, Hozier has continued to outdo himself in every musical way possible. With poetic lyricism reflecting on life experiences, a beautiful blending of different genres and emotional gut-punches left and right, Hozier continues his trajectory into soulful, deeply poetic music. His tackling of themes of religion, loss, love and creation itself has never been more clear.
What sets “Unreal Unearth” apart is its clear influence drawn from “Dante’s Inferno.” Whether it be the feeling of wanting to run away and hide in the shadows in “De Selby (Part 2),” the largely instrumental emptiness of hell’s void and distorted vocals in “Son of Nyx” or the world of disorder depicted in “Eat Your Young,” Hozier wastes no time bringing the listener to an image of hell. It is a world where the listener is left with nothing but infinite time and space to reflect and ultimately move on from their past mistakes.
Hozier is an artist who is constantly evolving, and his growth and maturity are felt throughout the record’s progression. The outro of the opening track, “De Selby (Part 1),” features the artist singing in Irish, bringing a true sense of authenticity to his storytelling and cultural roots. As this peaceful opening transitions seamlessly into the more upbeat “De Selby (Part 2),” the constant ringing of drums and a guitar backbeat creating a dynamic beat, Hozier wastes no time hooking the listener to his rhythm.
But the real moments of catharsis come when Hozier lets everything loose. One of the most freeing and rock-heavy sounds comes early in the excellently produced “Francesca,” where he dives deep into the desire of reliving a failed relationship. Even in knowing the ending and the inevitable heartbreak that will come with falling back in love again, he embraces the fatal impossibility of being back with his lover.
Hozier arrives at an inspirational place of accepting life’s losses in the soulful and gospel-inspired “All Things End,” ending with a group of backup singers clapping along to the melody. Here, Hozier doesn’t shy away from painful truths but finds a beautiful way to celebrate the journey anyway.
What makes Hozier’s music so mature and reassuring among a sea of countless artists reminiscing on break-ups is how he embraces the hurt and pain. Listening to any Hozier album in its entirety makes the listener feel like they are processing life experiences alongside him. Hozier’s music can also be interpreted far from the realm of a break-up narrative, making it easy for any listener to connect to his raw emotions. His music is truly universal.
In the perfect finale, “First Light” brings the story arc full circle as Hozier finally crawls back to his former life on Earth. “But after this I’m never gonna be the same / And I am never going back again” Hozier sings, realizing the beauty in changing along with life itself.
“Unreal Unearthed” is a pure celebration of music, love and embracing every emotion, every experience life offers. At his heart, Hozier is a true storyteller. That much has never been more clear with his latest, and surely not last, masterwork. Plug in your listening devices, find a beautiful forest and take it all in.
