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Unreal Unearth
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Unreal Unearth Image
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 14 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.8

Universal acclaim- based on 31 Ratings

  • Summary: The third full-length release from Irish singer-songwriter Hozier features a guest appearance by Brandi Carlile.
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
  1. The Telegraph (UK)
    Aug 18, 2023
    100
    Hozier sounds like what you might get if the late, lamented Jeff Buckley had thrown his lot in with Radiohead to conjure up folk music from the dark side of the moon.
  2. The Line of Best Fit
    Aug 17, 2023
    90
    From the folk twang of “First Time” to the torrential clapping on “Anything But,” this is a Hozier album to the hilt: considered, earnest, and moving.
  3. Paste Magazine
    Aug 17, 2023
    82
    Unreal Unearth is packed full of poetic lyricism, heavyhearted remorse, hopeful anticipation and an honest expression of the joys and sorrow of being a human. This is undoubtedly his best work. The more straightforward tracks may be too saccharine at times, but Hozier’s gravitational artistry more than makes up for any slight missteps off the path.
  4. Rolling Stone
    Aug 17, 2023
    80
    Hozier doesn’t just succeed in exploring that dark emotional world; his painful ascent makes the listener immediately want to climb with him. Even harder, he successfully delivers a third album that doesn’t shy away from any topic, even when he doesn’t have the answers. Hozier isn’t just growing as an artist, he’s being reborn.
  5. The Skinny
    Aug 17, 2023
    80
    Hozier’s far-reaching vocal range is on full display on Unreal Unearth – as an artist, he possesses that enviable fearlessness when it comes to being earnest. At times, the gospel overtones in the album reach cinematic scope. In places, this orchestral breadth comes off as over-produced, in a departure from the intimate honesty we've come to expect of Hozier.
  6. New Musical Express (NME)
    Aug 17, 2023
    80
    Hozier’s vocal abilities are on full display across ‘Unreal Unearth,’ but much like the album’s instrumentals, it’s his understanding of when to give more understated performances, as on gentle ‘I, Carrion (Icarian)’ or to go full-force, like on the end of pared-back ‘Unknown/Nth’, that make the songs triumph.
  7. Pitchfork
    Aug 25, 2023
    50
    Hozier calls the album’s sound “eclectic,” but disjointed is more apt.

See all 14 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. amertume
    Aug 19, 2023
    10
    While the album takes on an emotional turmoil of a very deep heartbreak, the music ascends you to the highest space art affords. It's soWhile the album takes on an emotional turmoil of a very deep heartbreak, the music ascends you to the highest space art affords. It's so beautiful and cleverly crafted that it's guaranteed to leave a mark on your soul upon listening. On repeat. Many, many times. Exquisite.… Expand
  2. Liat21
    Aug 18, 2023
    10
    English is not my first language, but here I go: there are no words to describe the feelings when you listen to this album. He is unique, heEnglish is not my first language, but here I go: there are no words to describe the feelings when you listen to this album. He is unique, he is art. Hozier is an amazing songwriter and musician and deserves all the best in the world. Listen to the album! Kisses from Brazil!… Expand
  4. AndresCarr
    Aug 25, 2023
    10
    ¡Album of the year!
    Estructuralmente el album mas completo, inteligente y poético del año, mas allá del mainstream basico, existe un mundo de    ¡Album of the year!
    Estructuralmente el album mas completo, inteligente y poético del año, mas allá del mainstream basico, existe un mundo de posibilidades y maravillas, el Sr. Hozier Byrne, es una de ellas    … Expand
  5. Megebau
    Aug 22, 2023
    10
    A incredible masterpiece. The lyrics, production, melodies - all of it was created with such emotion.
  6. laylamajnun
    Aug 24, 2023
    10
    This album is absolutely beautiful and heartbreaking. The lyrics are so profound and displays such emotions along the vocals that I fell inThis album is absolutely beautiful and heartbreaking. The lyrics are so profound and displays such emotions along the vocals that I fell in love with most of the songs during the first time I listened.
    Hozier drives us through Dante's Hell while unravels emotions that are intrinsic to human existence. The feelings of pain, lost, grief, love, joy are writen in the perspective of someone that has lived a full life. In addition, the production fits perfectly to each song and complements the stories that are told through the lyrics.
    Althought the whole album is perfect, the aspect that caught my attention from the principle was the Irish culture (rhythms, history and language) influence that he allowed himself to add as part of the album, which ensured a uniqueness to the work.
    In conclusion... it's a great album. I loved It. Absolutely worth the wait.    … Expand
  7. lulunailul
    Aug 25, 2023
    10
    it has been a week and i cant stop listening to it! a very good album! i don’t need to explain any further it’s hozier.
  8. ClementineZM
    Sep 11, 2023
    9
    Unlike popular belief, I find hozier's new adventure into collaboration to be a success

See all 8 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

51
#51 Most Discussed Album of 2023

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