Andrew Hozier-Byrne, known simply as Hozier, has built a career on songs that feel both ancient and immediate. His third album Unreal Unearth, structured around the circles of Dante Inferno, represents his most ambitious artistic statement yet, and he speaks about its creation with the quiet intensity that characterizes his music.
Dante as Framework
The decision to use the Inferno as a structural foundation came early in the writing process. Hozier explains that Dante journey through the underworld provided a perfect metaphor for exploring the full range of human emotional experience, from desire and grief to joy and transcendence. Each song corresponds to a different circle, though he was careful to avoid making the concept feel academic or restrictive.
Ireland and Landscape
Much of the album was written in the countryside of County Wicklow, and the Irish landscape permeates every track. Hozier describes walking through ancient forests and along cliff edges as essential to his creative process, finding in nature the same spiritual resonance that earlier generations found in religious devotion. This connection between landscape and emotion gives his music its distinctive quality of timelessness.
The recording process was deliberately organic, with many tracks featuring live performances captured in single takes. Hozier wanted the album to breathe and move naturally, resisting the temptation to over-produce songs that drew their power from simplicity and emotional directness.
The Voice as Instrument
Hozier vocal abilities are extraordinary, and he discusses his approach to singing with technical knowledge and artistic sensitivity. He describes working with his voice as a daily practice, exploring different registers and textures to find exactly the right tone for each lyric. The results speak for themselves in performances that range from whispered intimacy to full-throated power.
As he prepares for extensive touring, Hozier remains committed to the values that have defined his career: honesty, craftsmanship, and a belief in music ability to connect people across every divide.
