Speaking to The Independent on the influences behind Unreal Unearth, Hozier shared that the pandemic lockdowns strongly influenced his creativity. He said, “It was funny, because in some ways I thought I’d spent enough time [on his favoured themes of life and mortality], and then we were thrown into these new conditions. So there was a lot of death hanging over me.”

Hozier continued, “I was confronted with things that were working in my life, and things that weren’t. Things were changing and shifting. People, careers, habits, places… relationships around me were breaking down and forming in new ways.”

During this time, Hozier found Dante’s Inferno to have a lasting impact on him, as well as the Greek idea of ‘katabasis,‘ meaning a journey to the underworld. Hozier told The Independent, “I think everyone goes through a version of that in their lives.” The album is structured around the nine circles of hell, featuring his signature blend of piano ballads and folk-pop tracks.

Hozier released his first single from Unreal Unearth, “Eat Your Young” back in April. This track is one of multiple on the album with a literary influence, drawing inspiration from Irish writer Jonathan Swift’s satirical 1729 essay, A Modest Proposal.

Hozier is no stranger to drawing upon literary and historical subjects to influence his writing, and Unreal Unearth proves to be no different. Across the album, Hozier references the Wexford Rebellion of 1729, Flann O’Brien’s 1967 philosophical text The Third Policeman and more, satisfying his fanbase who turn to him for his poetic and historically informed approach to lyrics.

Hozier worked with co-writers on this project, with this being a new and welcome change for him. He shared, “I’m somebody who is constantly trying to crawl away and be on my own, but to the point where I could end up losing my own mind. It was a drug, to come from such solitude and then be in a space with others, making all this fantastic noise.”

He took to Twitter to celebrate the album’s release, writing “The album represents a reflection on the journey through the last few years and all that was reckoned with in that time. I feel incredibly lucky for your support and can’t wait to see some of you at shows soon.“

#UnrealUnearth is out now

The album represents a reflection on the journey through the last few years and all that was reckoned with in that time. I feel incredibly lucky for your support and can’t wait to see some of you at shows soon.

https://t.co/seLzUUhvUi pic.twitter.com/HoPXmwjEsZ

— Hozier (@Hozier) August 18, 2023

Hozier has also announced a UK and Ireland tour to celebrate the album’s release. Read more here.

10/12/23 – M&S Bank Arena – Liverpool
11/12/23 – OVO Hydro – Glasgow
13/12/23 – Resorts World Arena – Birmingham
15/12/23 – OVO Wembley Arena – London
17/12/23 – SSE Arena – Belfast

Unreal Unearth is available for purchase now. Stream the album below.

Posting his announcement on Instagram, Hozier revealed that five-piece band, The Last Dinner Party, will be supporting him on this tour. Hozier captioned: “Thrilled to announce my Unreal Unearth European tour dates with special guests @TheLastDinnerParty.”

Check out Hozier’s tour announcement on Instagram below:

Andrew John Hozier-Byrne, most famously known by his stage name Hozier, grew up in County Wicklow, Ireland. His music draws influence from blues, folk, and soul often incorporating religious themes.

He is best known for his debut single “Take Me to Church” which released in 2013. The song was then featured as the opening song for his 2014 album Hozier. Not only did it top the charts in 12 countries in 2014, but it also received a nomination for the Grammy Award for Song of the Year.

Listen to Hozier’s “Take Me to Church” below:

Recently, Hozier announced his third studio album Unreal Unearth which is scheduled for release on August 18 2023. The album is set to contain 16 tracks including 3 singles already released: “Francesca”, “Eat Your Young”, and “All Things End”. He revealed the album announcement on Twitter saying, “I hope I get to thank some of you in person while touring the next chapter… ‘Unreal Unearth’ will start to find its way to your ears next year, come hell or high water.”

See Hozier’s album announcement on Twitter below:

Want to wish you all a happy, peaceful and safe end to 2021. I’m so grateful for the continued support and I hope I get to thank some of you in person while touring the next chapter…

‘Unreal Unearth’ will start to find its way to your ears next year, come hell or high water

— Hozier (@Hozier) December 31, 2021

The album features some of the artist’s most personal and introspective work to date, with songs exploring themes of love and loss. He released his EP Eat Your Young on March 17, 2023 which all of the songs will appear on Unreal Unearth. Hozier described the album as “quite eclectic and there’s something of a retrospective in what the sounds lean into.”

Listen to “Eat Your Young” on YouTube below: In other news, Hozier has confirmed on Instagram today (Friday 23 June) that he will be a surprise act at Glastonbury Festival. The Irish singer will perform on the Woodsies stage tonight at 7:30pm. He said, “Thrilled to announce I’ll be playing glastofest again in a not-so-secret set this evening (Friday)! See you at 7.30pm, WoodSIES stage.” Hozier UK and Europe Tour Dates

26/11/2023 – Avicii Arena – Stockholm
28/11 – Ziggo Dome – Amsterdam
29/11 – Zenith – Paris
02/12 – Velodrom – Berlin
03/12 – Stadhalle – Vienna
05/12 – Sporthall – Hamburg
06/12 – Sportovni Hala Fortuna – Prague
08/12 – Forest National – Brussels
10/12 – M&S Bank Arena – Liverpool
11/12 – OVO Hydro – Glasgow
13/12 – Resorts World Arena – Birmingham
15/12 – OVO Wembley Arena – London
17/12 – SSE Arena – Belfast

Tickets are available to purchase here