After teasing fans with a sneak peek of a sketchbook on social media last week, Hozier has dropped his latest EP that contains four tracks unearthed from the vaults of the chart-topping album Unreal Unearth. These four hidden tracks are, Too Sweet, Empire Now, Fare Well, and the hauntingly beautiful collaboration with Canadian Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Allison Russell, Wildflower and Barley.
Hozier’s breathtaking EP, Unheard is a testament to his enduring passion for life’s complexities. His musical clarity serves as a perfect counterpoint to his lyrically rich tales of mythic experiences, creating a sound that is both introspective and universally relatable. Overcoming the inevitable challenges of life and love, Hozier emerges triumphant, crafting songs that celebrate the indomitable power of the human heart. This unwavering commitment to love and connection is a source of great comfort, and it shines through in every note of Unheard, a collection of four exceptional leftover tracks that didn’t quite fit on the third album.
Too Sweet might just be the pinnacle of new Hozier music. The melodies are deceptively simple, striking a perfect balance between catchiness and intimacy. They resonate so powerfully because they capture the essence of everyday acts of affection in a way that feels deeply authentic. When artists release the raw elements of a successful record, as Blur did with The Ballad of Darren, it’s crucial to consider not just how they fit within the larger work, but how they coalesce to create a distinct sonic identity. Hozier’s tonal structure for these four tracks is truly unique, with each piece contributing a different flavour to the overall mix. While Wildflower and Barley showcases his instrumental prowess, it feels a little unfinished. Allison Russell’s exceptional vocal work adds another layer of depth, particularly in the way her voice blends seamlessly with Hozier’s to create a sonic tapestry that is greater than the sum of its parts.
Empire Now is an exercise in historical undertakings, a sweet and common theme for Unreal Unearth which may have held a surplus to requirement had it taken on Empire Now too. But on its own, isolated and released as part of the Unheard batch, it finds new life and brings about a sense of longevity in the face of a world where tearing down love and accomplishments can be done at the click of a button. Hozier is aware of the modern world and sounds disgusted by its breach of peace and returns instead to the tranquillity of nature, staying there with those who cling to his music as an escape.
Fare Well is a shocking final chapter in a brilliant era of Hozier’s work. Given his track record, it may be some time before the world hears new Hozier works, and Unheard, along with some rereleases of his first two records and a show at Finsbury Park, could indeed be a farewell. With his trademark introspective lyrics and haunting melodies, Unheard serves as both a farewell and a thank you to fans who embraced the raw honesty of Unreal Unearth.
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