Top tracks — play these first
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Eat Your Young — This track encapsulates Hozier's signature blend of evocative storytelling and rhythmic vitality, addressing themes of desire and mortality with striking imagery.
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Francesca — A poignant tribute that melds personal narrative with broader cultural reflections, illustrating Hozier's ability to connect intimate experiences with universal truths.
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I, Carrion (Icarian) — This song features a haunting exploration of identity and transformation, characterized by lush instrumentation that enhances its emotional weight.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album features strong lyrical themes and cohesive musical elements, though it has some uneven pacing.
What we noticed
- The album opens with two interconnected tracks, 'De Selby (Part 1)' and 'De Selby (Part 2)', which create a thematic and musical continuity.
- Several tracks feature layered instrumentation that builds gradually, such as 'I, Carrion (Icarian)', where strings and percussion swell to a climax.
- Lyrically, the album explores personal themes through vivid imagery, particularly in tracks like 'Butchered Tongue' and 'Francesca', which employ metaphorical language.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady pacing for reflective moments
- introspective lyrics for deep thinking
- rich melodies for emotional connection
- gradual development rewarding patience
- soulful sounds for cozy evenings
Maybe skip if you
- seeking instant gratification
- prefer upbeat party tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on August 18, 2023, Unreal Unearth marks Hozier's third studio album, following his critically acclaimed sophomore effort Wasteland, Baby! in 2019. This album comes after a period of personal reflection and growth for the artist, showcasing his evolution in songwriting and musical depth while retaining the emotive power that characterizes his work.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Leon Bridges· Ben Howard· James Vincent McMorrow
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Who We Are
The verse shifts perspectives to contemplate collective identity amidst personal struggles, grounding abstract ideas in relatable emotions.
This structural choice deepens the song's impact by moving from individual experience to a shared human condition, inviting listeners to reflect on their own identities.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 De Selby (Part 1) 3:39
- 2 De Selby (Part 2) 3:47
- 3 First Time 3:53
- 4 Francesca 4:30
- 5 I, Carrion (Icarian) 3:16
- 6 Eat Your Young 4:03
- 7 Damage Gets Done 4:28
- 8 Who We Are 4:05
- 9 Son of Nyx 3:19
- 10 All Things End 3:39
- 11 To Someone From a Warm Climate (Uiscefhuaraithe) 4:00
- 12 Butchered Tongue 2:29
- 13 Anything But 3:45
- 14 Abstract (Psychopomp) 4:04
- 15 Unknown / Nth 4:40
- 16 First Light 4:52
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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