Hozier returns with incredible third studio album ‘Unreal Unearth’
Unreal Unearth is a masterclass in songwriting and impressive vocals.
Photo: Julia Johnson
Following his well celebrated albums Hozier and Wasteland, Baby!, Hozier has a lot to live up to with his third album, Unreal Unearth. However, it does not disappoint. This album is a blend of delicate moments of vulnerability, and powerful bursts of energy and passion. The excellent song-writing is the cherry on the cake to the phenomenal musicality.
De Selby (Part 1) opens the album beautifully with raw, Irish-folk sounding acoustic guitar. Coupled with strings, Hozier’s angelic vocals are showcased in a perfect start to the record. Followed by De Selby (Part 2); the opening tracks up-beat and energetic companion, the drums and bass mesh wonderfully with the effortlessly cool backing vocals.
The third track, First Time, is a divine love letter with vulnerable lyrics such as “How before I heard it from your mouth / My name would always hit my ears / As such an awful sound”. Hozier’s vocal range is established on this track as he smoothly fluctuates between delicate high notes to powerful runs of passion. First Time seamlessly slows to a cohesive end, setting the album up for the following track.
The second single from Unreal Unearth is a powerful track titled Francesca. Starting calmy, the track gradually builds into the powerful delivery of the line “I tell them put me back in” which is elevated by the compelling drums. Francesca was a stand-out performance from Hozier’s recent secret set at Glastonbury Festival, and I’m sure it will continue to impress on his upcoming arena tour.
I, Carrion features intricate layered vocals that are haunting in the best, most rememberable way. The lyrics talk of weightlessness and freedom: “You have me floating like a feather on the sea”, which is exactly how this song makes you feel, with stunning guitar tones and strings.
Hozier re-inserts the pace back into the record with the first single, Eat Your Young. This track is reminiscent of the soulful, groovier tracks such as Jackie And Wilson from his debut album. Hozier has spoken about the track having the element of an ‘unreliable narrator’ and this is depicted in lyrics such as “Putting food on the table selling bombs and guns / It’s quicker and easier to eat your young”. The song falls in pace to then build back up to indulgently revel in his vocal range.
The only song on the album featuring another artist is Damage Gets Done with Brandi Carlile. The addition of female vocals work harmoniously to complement Hozier’s impressive voice, as well as the instrumentals. It provides an electric summer sound with the cathartic “yeah yeah yeahs” that close the track.
Immediately the tone shifts with the introduction of melancholic piano; proving Hozier is versatile in his sound. The vocals in Who We Are act as the centrepiece of the song, as it flows from a gentle sound to an impactful ballad. The lyricism is astonishingly vulnerable with lines like “You only feel it when it’s lost”. Who We Are leads into a moody instrumental track called Son of Nyx. The rain sounds create an enveloping, evocative sound which wouldn’t feel out of place on a James Bond soundtrack.
All Things End demonstrates the jazzy soulfulness Hozier harnesses in older tracks such as Movement from his second album, Wasteland, Baby!. This album feels as if Hozier has given his heart and soul into it, and the lyrics “If there was ever anyone to get through this life / With their heart still intact, they didn’t do it right” prove this. Transitioning back to a stripped back track, To Someone From A Warm Climate is a stunning song with mellow piano and impressive vocals.
The next track, Butchered Tongue, features beautiful, dreamy hums which open it up into an open reminiscent song. Lyrics like “Be lifted like a child up by the hand / In some town that just means / ‘Home’ to them” craft a wonderfully honest tone about human connections. It makes perfect sense that following a track about ‘home’ comes a track that opens with a quintessentially Irish sound in Anything But. Clapping intriguingly becomes a core instrument of the song; further developing the theme of community. Upon every listen of this track, a new and exciting element jumps out to you.
Abstract is a fusion of emotional lyrics: “I’m still glad I met you”, and drums which insert the pace and power into the track. Once again, Hozier’s astonishing vocals are a highlight as they command the song. Unknown/Nth features wonderful guitar which creates an amazing echo throughout. The infectious delivery of the lyrics will leave their mark in your mind.
First Light is an incredible end to Unreal Unearth, as it merges together all of the highlights from prior tracks into one well-crafted track. The build into the crescendo begins from the start with interestingly sinister vocal chants that transition into his signature angelic vocals. Hozier’s awareness of the instruments is made clear as his voice works perfectly alongside them. First Light is a show stopping closing track that satisfyingly returns to a calm acoustic sound; finishing on a full circle moment.
Unreal Unearth is a showcase of the uniquely vast talent of Hozier. This record establishes his range as an artist; he is not limited to a certain sound or tone in his music. Hozier is unrelenting in further solidifying his place on the worldwide music scene, and his upcoming UK arena tour this December is bound to impress.
Unreal Unearth is out now via Rubyworks / Universal Music.
