New Hozier album unearths mythological and cultural inspirations

After the release of hit singles “Francesca” and “Eat Your Young”, musical artist Hozier’s full album Unreal Unearth was released on August 18, 2023. Inspired by Dante Alighieri’s Inferno, Andrew Hozier-Byrne outlined the songs in the album based on the nine circles of hell. Including references to Greek mythology, Unreal Unearth is an album to be remembered amongst the most emotionally heart wrenching of the era. 

Tracks such as De Selby (Part 1) and Butchered Tongue, explore Hozier’s Irish heritage. Hozier sings in the Irish language (called Gaelic in Ireland) in De Selby. In Butchered Tongue, Hozier sings about the brutal persecution of Irish people historically. 

By unearthing parts of his culture, Hozier brings a personal deepness to his music that his previous albums hadn’t explored. Hozier’s music evolves throughout the album, with topics ranging from a song about roadkill disguised as a love song (titled Abstract (Psychopomp)), to Eat Your Young, a disturbingly catchy song about the practice “sacrificing the future of other people for the sake of short-term gain,” said Hozier in an interview with Genius. Hozier continues to critique society through his music, Eat Your Young being a commentary on the exploitation of children. By mixing his own observations with love songs and homages to Irish culture, Unreal Unearth becomes a mosaic of what Hozier wishes to tell the world.

Through a number of inspirations and experiences, Hozier has crafted a new, innovative piece of art. Using his trademark poetic lyricism in songs such as I, Carrion (Icarian), Hozier explores the depth of culture, love, and social issues. 

It is evident in the aforementioned song how Hozier’s lyrics have evolved from his debut self-titled album: 

“I do not have wings, love, I never will

Soarin’ over a world you are carryin’

If these heights should bring my fall

Let me be your own

Icarian carrion

If the wind turns, if I hit a squall

Allow the ground to find its brutal way to me” (Lyrics from Genius)

Alluding to the myth of Icarus and using wordplay throughout the song, Hozier perfectly captures flight and romance in I, Carrion (Icarian). This time around, these beautiful lyrics are paired with more acoustic instrumentals and piano, giving a rustic and classical feel to the album. The pacing is slow and soulful in comparison to previous albums with more upbeat hits. 

Being Hozier’s first UK Number 1 album according to Official Charts, Unreal Unearth is a great album that effectively provides the same warmth and soul as previous Hozier albums, while also giving a new perspective into the mind and life of Hozier and his inspirations as his work changes over time.