“The prayers of Saint Christopher / Travelers and stones / And ghosts on the river / Days fold into the end / Know I ran the Roman head / And you are the heart / The prayer I remember.” The mention of Saint Christopher, the patron saint of travelers, is perfect given that “everything is alive” will make the listener feel like they are being uprooted and taken on a surreal, psychedelic pilgrimage.
By Matt Minton, Senior Staff Writer
• August 28, 2023
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.
“Valentine” is an excellent album, both for listeners looking for an outlet to express the heartache that feels like it may never heal and fans of the indie genre looking for a new female voice.