Thoughts on "Unreal Unearth"

The cool air in the mornings, the beginning of the school semester, and a new Hozier album are all indicators that autumn is on the way. Irish singer-songwriter Hozier’s third album “Unreal Unearth” released on Friday, August 18th with much anticipation from fans. Hozier had teased the album’s influence of Dante’s Inferno and other epic poetry, so it is no surprise that “Unreal Unearth” is dark, emotional, and full of feeling. The tracklist includes many songs that contribute to the storytelling aspect of Hozier’s album while also containing songs that stand out on their own - fit for radio play and streaming success.

On first listen, “Unreal Unearth” didn’t quite impress me. There are many songs that I instantly saved including “Who We Are,” “Anything But,” “Eat Your Young,” and even “Butchered Tongue,” but most songs did not stick out to me the way Hozier’s music usually does. Admittedly, I am mostly a casual listener and he is an artist that I consider to operate closer to that of a poet, meaning that while he crafts beautiful lyrics, words, and phrases, I don’t think that the entire meaning can be picked up in just one listen. This is an album that I am looking forward to spending some time with, taking it into the new season, and learning about the world that he crafts.