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Andrew John Hozier-Byrne (born 17 March 1990), known professionally as Hozier (/ˈhoʊziər/ HOH-zee-ər),[1] is an Irish musician. His music primarily draws from folk, soul and blues, often using religious and literary themes and taking political or social justice stances.

His debut single, "Take Me to Church" (2013), became a rock radio hit in the U.S., peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and was certified multi-platinum in several countries. His eponymous debut studio album (2014) has been certified 6× platinum in Ireland and multi-platinum in several other countries. His EP Nina Cried Power (2018), which featured the title track as a single, reached number one on the Billboard Adult Alternative Songs chart. His second album, Wasteland, Baby! (2019), debuted atop the Irish Albums Chart and the Billboard 200, and was certified gold in the U.S.[2] In late 2022, Hozier collaborated with Bear McCreary on the song "Blood Upon the Snow" for the video game God of War: Ragnarök. His third studio album, Unreal Unearth (2023), was released on Rubyworks Records and debuted at number one on the Irish and UK charts.[3] In 2024, he released the EP Unheard, which includes his first number-one single in Ireland, the US, and the UK, "Too Sweet". Time magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2025.[4]

Early life

[edit]

Hozier was born near Bray, County Wicklow, Ireland on 17 March 1990, the son of Raine Hozier and John Byrne. He has one older brother named Jon. Around the time he was born, his father John worked as a local banker and in the evenings would play as a jazz and blues drummer. His mother Raine was a stay-at-home artist.[5][6][7][8] When Hozier was six years old, his father underwent spinal surgery, and although he survived despite numerous complications, he needed a wheelchair from then on. Hozier's father was unemployed for a few years, which put a severe financial strain on the family.[9]

Hozier began writing songs at the age of 15,[10] taught himself guitar and sang in his school choir.[6] He was educated at Delgany National School. He was raised a Quaker.[11] He later attended St. Gerard's School before studying music education at Trinity College Dublin. He missed exams to record demos for a music label and was refused a year's deferral by the college.[12][13]

Career

[edit]

2008–2012: Beginnings

[edit]

While at Trinity, Hozier became involved with the Trinity Orchestra. He was a member of and toured with the choral ensemble Anúna from 2009 to 2012 and appeared as a soloist on their 2014 release Illuminations singing "La Chanson de Mardi Gras".[14][15][16] Hozier played at the Oxegen 2009 and Oxegen 2010 festivals.[17]

2013–2017: Breakthrough

[edit]
Hozier performing at The Troubadour in 2014

Hozier wrote the song "Take Me to Church" in 2013 in between playing open mic nights in Dublin; the rough demo resulted in him signing with indie label Rubyworks Records.[18] Hozier released his debut extended play, also called Take Me to Church, on 3 July 2013.[19] It appeared on the Billboard 200.[20] He initially recorded track demos in his attic studio before working on the record with producer Rob Kirwan.[16][21] The titular single was released in September 2013.[18] The music video, alluding to themes of homophobia, was released that same month, having been created on a "shoestring budget" and filmed entirely in black-and-white.[18] The video was shared by English actor Stephen Fry, which helped it reach the front page of Reddit and subsequently become a viral video.[5][12][22] The song scored top-five chart positions and multi-platinum certifications; the song also garnered critical acclaim for its lyricism and messaging.[23][18] The EP's concluding track, "Cherry Wine", appeared in Zach Braff's movie Wish I Was Here, chosen for its "heartbreaking lyrics and poetry".[24] It was later performed on the Late Late Show.[25][26] In March 2014, Hozier released his second EP, From Eden.[27]

Hozier released his album Hozier on 19 September 2014, including tracks from his first two extended-play albums (EPs). The album drew inspiration from folk, R&B and blues music.[28] Hozier met critical success;[29] Helen Brown of The Daily Telegraph noted that it was "an intense, youthful lyrical tangling of religion and romantic obsession that regularly finds him poised 'between love and abuse'".[30] Hozier peaked at number one in Ireland and finished second on the US Billboard 200. The album is certified 2× platinum in the UK and US. After the release of "Take Me to Church", the record released five singles released from 2014 to 2016: "From Eden", "Sedated", "Work Song", “Someone New", "Jackie and Wilson" and "Cherry Wine", which all appeared on the Irish Singles Chart. The music videos for "From Eden", "Someone New", and "Cherry Wine" featured actresses Katie McGrath, Natalie Dormer and Saoirse Ronan, respectively.[31][32] In October 2014, he made his U.S. debut, performing "Take Me to Church" and "Angel of Small Death" on Saturday Night Live.[33][34][35] In December 2014, he performed "Take Me to Church" at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show.[36]

Hozier in 2015

In February 2015, "Take Me to Church" was nominated at the 57th Annual Grammy Awards for Song of the Year. At the awards show, he performed the song with Annie Lennox.[37][38] He also performed it at the 2015 Billboard Music Awards in May 2015. On 12 November 2015, he won the VH1 Artist of the Year, a fan-voted award. At the ceremony, he performed "Take Me to Church" and The Beatles' "Blackbird" with singer Tori Kelly.[39] In June 2016, Hozier released the song "Better Love" as part of the Legend of Tarzan soundtrack.[40][41] Hozier subsequently took a one-year hiatus from his work, moving back to Ireland to "reconnect" after touring his debut album.[42]

2018–2021: Nina Cried Power EP and Wasteland, Baby!

[edit]

In September 2018, Hozier returned with the release of the EP Nina Cried Power.[43] The album features a collaboration with Mavis Staples on the titular track. He released his second studio album's lead single, "Movement", on 14 November 2018, alongside a music video. Hozier's second album, Wasteland, Baby!, was released on 1 March 2019, including tracks from his previous EP.[44] The thematic elements of the album center around his interpretation of the apocalypse while looking for thematic elements of romance and redemption.[7] Reviews were largely positive;[45] Elisabeth Woronzoff of PopMatters stated it "light[s] the artist's skill and vision of his craft... [and] that it [..] delivers while edifying the artist as an impactful voice in the art and activism sphere."[46] The album debuted atop the Irish Albums Chart and the Billboard 200, Hozier's first number-one US release.[47][48][49] Wasteland, Baby! has since been certified silver in the United Kingdom and gold in the United States.[2]

Hozier performing at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall in 2019

Wasteland, Baby! included two further singles released in 2019 that debuted on the Irish Singles Chart: "Almost (Sweet Music)" and "Dinner and Diatribes"; the music video for the latter track features an appearance from actress Anya Taylor-Joy.[50][51] He was the closing headliner of the inaugural Railbird Festival held on the grounds of the Keeneland horse track in Lexington, Kentucky.[52] Hozier was one of the headliners for the Electric Picnic 2019, a three-day festival held in Ireland on 30 August to 1 September.[53] He performed at the Glastonbury Festival 2019.[54] He also performed at the Lollapalooza 2019, a four-day music festival held in Chicago in August.[55]

In March and April 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Hozier performed via social media to raise money and awareness for the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (ISPCC).[56] He performed a cover version of "The Parting Glass" on The Late Late Show and released the song as a charity single on streaming media, with proceeds going to the ISPCC.[57][58] In June 2020, as part of the fundraising special, RTÉ Does Comic Relief, he performed a cover of "Bridge over Troubled Water" in Croke Park[59] and performed a sketch with Irish comedian Aisling Bea.[60]

On 29 October 2021, Hozier released the single "Tell It to My Heart" in collaboration with Meduza, which debuted at number 13 on the Irish Singles Chart.[61]

2022–present: Unreal Unearth and Unheard EP

[edit]
Hozier performing at Qudos Bank Arena in 2024

The single "Swan Upon Leda", released on 7 October 2022, was inspired by Egyptian feminist Mona Eltahawy, as well as Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization in the United States and the Mahsa Amini protests in Iran.[62] Atwood Magazine praised the song as "a haunting and heartbreakingly beautiful prayer, plea, and cry for reproductive rights and women’s empowerment."[63]

"Blood Upon the Snow" was released on 9 November 2022, as a collaboration with composer Bear McCreary for the video game God of War Ragnarök.[64] He released the extended play Eat Your Young on 17 March 2023.[65] The EP features three songs: "Eat Your Young", "All Things End" and "Through Me (The Flood)".[66]

Unreal Unearth was released on 18 August 2023.[67] Hozier's relationship with the Irish language is evident in the album in song lyrics ("uiscefhuaraithe") and song themes.[68] He also sings in Irish on some of "De Selby (Part 1)",[69] with translation support from Darach Ó Séaghdha, Peter Kavanagh and Dr Gearóidín McEvoy from the Irish podcast "Motherfoclóir".[70]

On 22 March 2024, Hozier released the EP Unheard, which features four songs: "Too Sweet", "Wildflower and Barley" featuring Allison Russell, "Empire Now", and "Fare Well". The songs were originally meant to be included on Unreal Unearth and were also inspired by Dante's Inferno. Hozier said that "these are songs that might have made it to the circles of gluttony, limbo, violence, and the outward 'ascent' respectively".[71] Of these songs, "Too Sweet" was the most commercially successful; it debuted at number five on the US Billboard Hot 100,[72] becoming his first song to debut within the top five of the chart and his second top five entry since "Take Me To Church". "Too Sweet" rose to number one three weeks later,[73] making Hozier the fourth Irish artist to top the chart.[74]

On 1 August 2024, while performing at Lollapalooza 2024, he presented an unreleased song titled "Nobody's Soldier" and called for a ceasefire in the Gaza war.[75] After this, he released the EP Unaired, which featured songs "Nobody's Soldier", "July", and "That You Are" featuring Bedouine. A deluxe version of Unreal Unearth titled Unreal Unearth: Unending featuring a brand new song, "Hymn to Virgil", was later released.[76]

Artistry

[edit]

Influences

[edit]
Nina Simone
Woody Guthrie
Hozier has credited artist-activists Nina Simone and Woody Guthrie among the influences of his music.

As a result of his countryside upbringing, much of Hozier's early music exposure came from his parents' blues, jazz and soul record collections, incorporating artists such as John Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters, Bukka White and Tom Waits.[18][77] His first musical memories were drawn from his father's career as a drummer playing music in Dublin.[78] He has stated that his musical education was "grounded" in Chicago blues artists such as John Lee Hooker, Otis Redding and Nina Simone, to whom he pays tribute in the track "Nina Cried Power".[79] As a child, he was a fan of the bands Stereophonics and Daft Punk.[78]

He draws inspiration primarily from Irish and African-American artistry; he has said that the "roots" of jazz, rock, soul and R&B have been largely shaped by black culture and finds importance in "crediting the legacy you're crediting".[8] His guitar work draws from Celtic folk inspiration, as well as musicians Ali Farka Toure and Tinariwen.[8] Hozier has stated that "the best vocalists I can think of are female".[77] Musically, Hozier has listed Aretha Franklin, Johnny Cash, Woody Guthrie, Van Morrison, Ella Fitzgerald, St Vincent, Feist, Little Green Cars, Paul Simon, Willie Dixon and Lisa Hannigan as musical and vocal influences.[80][77][78][10]

Songwriting

[edit]

Hozier states that his writing differs based on the starting point: varying from a couplet and lyrical idea, or a musical hook that he "flesh[es] out from a fairly embryonic point".[8] Lyrics "by far take [him] the most time", describing a "slow process of repetition" while "not lean[ing] too much on verbose phrases" to maintain the integrity of the sentiment.[10] His process is described as "slow, methodical work" and he is "meticulous" about wording; he has stated that he "can defend any idea by the time someone hears it, because [he has] put it through a strainer seven times".[77] His lyrics often contain vivid literary references and draw imagery from nature and religion;[18] they tend to focus on themes of romantic relationships, love and politics.[77][81]

Hozier has dismissed comparisons of his work to poetry, stating that to consider it such "would be a disservice to poetry itself".[10] The "subversion of social norms" plays a role in his music, which often discuss the defiance of organised religion and social convention.[8] Hozier references the Irish concept of the craic, which he interprets as subverting social norms and self-respect, and has stated, "If the Irish are not taking the piss out of something, what's the point really?"[8] His songwriting has been influenced by Irish music and folklore, as well as poets Seamus Heaney and W. B. Yeats. He has said that his first record contained a "fairytale aspect" influenced by Oscar Wilde.[82]

Socially conscious themes

[edit]

Steve Baltin of Forbes observed that Hozier's brief collegiate study of music theory has influenced his sound as he writes from a "socially conscious" perspective.[82] Hozier has stated that he believes "the personal is the political"; much of his work holds direct references to topical events.[82] The "Take Me to Church" music video features two men in a same-sex relationship and highlights the injustices and violence perpetrated against members of the LGBT community. The video was inspired by videos of violent crimes against gay men in Russia.[83] The music video for the song "Cherry Wine" was released to raise awareness of domestic violence.[84] "Nina Cried Power" is a song that features lyrics including names of artists such as Nina Simone, Bob Dylan and Mavis Staples whose work takes a political or social justice stance.[83][85][86] The music video features Irish activists alongside protest footage.[87]

In November 2019, Hozier released a song titled "Jackboot Jump", following live performances of it on tour. This song, besides being a direct reference to George Orwell's 1984, alludes to social demonstrations in Hong Kong, Russia and in America.[88] In 2019, Hozier performed an unreleased song, "But the Wages", that refers to temperatures rising as well as riots all around the world, while wages remain the same.[89] Prior to the release of Unreal Unearth, Hozier released the single Swan Upon Leda. Named after the Leda and the Swan Greek myth, Hozier stated on social media that the song was inspired by the work of Mona Eltahawy and the systemic oppression of women.[90] Commentators noted the thematic resonance with the release coinciding with the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization decision in the U.S. and the Iranian protests following the death of Mahsa Amini.[91][92] Though the song was written and produced before either of these occurred, Hozier commented that the timing of the release was intentional, calling it "an opportunity to offer some show of solidarity."[93]

Personal life

[edit]

Hozier was raised a Quaker and now identifies as agnostic.[18]

Activism and views

[edit]

In 2016, Hozier participated in the "Home Sweet Home" movement with the goal of getting the Irish government to act to end homelessness.[94] Hozier, who was brought up in the Quaker faith but also attended a Catholic school, is an outspoken critic of the Catholic Church, specifically on its views on sexual orientation.[95] He showed support for abortion in the Republic of Ireland in the 2018 referendum and stated he felt "pride" in his generation and the democratic process following the vote.[96] In 2020, Hozier donated all the royalties from his 2019 protest song "Jackboot Jump" to the NAACP and Black Lives Matter movement following the George Floyd protests.[97][98] In March 2023, Hozier performed at the Love Rising benefit concert in Nashville in support of the LGBTQ community.[99] Hozier has expressed solidarity with Palestine by calling for a ceasefire in Gaza during his Unreal Unearth shows.[100][101]

Discography

[edit]
Main article: Hozier discography

Awards and nominations

[edit]
American Music Awards
Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2015 Hozier Favorite Alternative Artist Nominated
2025 Favorite Male Pop Artist Nominated [102]
Favorite Rock Artist Nominated
"Too Sweet" Song of the Year Nominated
Favorite Rock Song Nominated
Unreal Unearth Favorite Rock Album Nominated
ARIA Music Awards
Year Nominee / work Award Result
2015 Hozier Best International Artist Nominated
BBC Music Awards
Year Nominee / work Award Result
2015 Hozier International Artist of the Year Nominated
"Take Me to Church" Song of the Year Won
BMI London Awards
Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2025 "Eat Your Young" Award-Winning Song Won [103]
"Too Sweet" Won

Berlin Music Video Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2024 De Selby (Part 2) Best Cinematography Won
Billboard Music Awards
Year Nominee / work Award Result
2015 Hozier Top New Artist Nominated
Top Rock Artist Won
"Take Me to Church" Top Streaming Song (Audio) Nominated
Top Rock Song Won
Hozier Top Rock Album Nominated
2024 Hoizer Top Rock Artist Nominated [104]
Unheard Top Rock Album Nominated
"Too Sweet" Top Rock Song Nominated
Brit Awards
Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2015 Hozier International Male Solo Artist Nominated [105]
2025 "Too Sweet" Best International Song Nominated [106]
Country Music Association Awards
Year Nominee / work Award Result
2020 "The Bones" (with Maren Morris) Musical Event of the Year Nominated
Electronic Dance Music Awards
Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2022 "Tell It to My Heart" (with Meduza) Dance Song Of The Year Nominated [107]
European Border Breakers Awards
Year Nominee / work Award Result
2015 Hozier Album of the Year Won
Grammy Awards
Year Nominee / work Award Result
2015 "Take Me to Church" Song of the Year Nominated
Ivor Novello Awards
Year Nominee / work Award Result
2015 "Take Me to Church" Best Song Musically and Lyrically Won
2019 "Nina Cried Power" Nominated[108]
iHeartRadio Music Awards
Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2016 Hozier Best New Artist Nominated [109]
2020 "The Bones" (with Maren Morris) Best Remix Nominated [110]
2025 "Too Sweet" Song of the Year Nominated [111]
Pop Song of the Year Nominated
Alternative Song of the Year Won
Juno Awards
Year Nominee / work Award Result
2016 Hozier International Album of the Year Nominated
Los Premios 40 Principales
Year Nominee / work Award Result
2015 Hozier Best International New Artist Nominated
"Take Me to Church" Best International Video
MTV Europe Music Awards
Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2014 "Take Me to Church" Best Song with a Social Message Nominated
2024 Hozier Best Alternative Nominated [112]
Best UK & Ireland Act Nominated
MTV Video Music Awards
Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2015 "Take Me to Church" Best Rock Video Nominated
Best Direction
2024 "Too Sweet" Best Alternative Nominated [113]
Song of Summer Nominated [114]
Silver Clef Award
Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2016 Hozier International Award Won [115]
Teen Choice Awards
Year Nominee / work Award Result
2015 "Take Me to Church" Choice Rock Song Won
Video Prisma Awards
Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2023 "Eat Your Young" Best Direction Nominated [116]
Best Rock Video - International Won [117]
Žebřík Music Awards
Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2014 Hozier Best International Discovery Nominated [118]
"Take Me to Church" Best International Song Nominated

Postage stamp

[edit]

On 15 July 2021, the Irish postal service, An Post, released a postage stamp celebrating Hozier.[119]

Tours

[edit]

Headlining

[edit]
  • North American fall (2015)[120]
  • Wasteland, Baby! (2019) – North America, Australia, New Zealand and Europe.[121][122]
  • Unreal Unearth (2023)[123][124]
  • Govball (2025)[125]
  • Austin City Limits (2025) [126]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Hozier

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Andrew John Hozier-Byrne (born 17 March 1990), known professionally as Hozier, is an Irish singer-songwriter and musician whose breakthrough single "Take Me to Church" from his 2014 self-titled debut album achieved global commercial success and critical acclaim for its critique of institutional religion's treatment of homosexuality.[1] Born in Bray, County Wicklow, to a visual artist mother and a musician father immersed in blues traditions, Hozier grew up exposed to diverse musical influences including folk, gospel, and Irish heritage sounds, which informed his early self-taught guitar playing and choir participation before briefly studying music production at Trinity College Dublin.[1][2] Hozier's discography spans albums such as Wasteland, Baby! (2019) and Unreal Unearth (2023), blending soul, R&B, indie rock, and blues elements to address themes of love, mortality, and societal critique, with recent singles like "Too Sweet" marking a resurgence in chart performance and earning recognition as a top comeback in popular music metrics for 2024.[3] He has secured multiple nominations for Grammy Awards, including Song of the Year for "Take Me to Church," and achieved several number-one positions on the Adult Alternative Airplay chart, reflecting sustained radio and streaming impact.[1][4] Beyond music, Hozier has engaged publicly in political discourse, incorporating protest elements into works like the EP Nina Cried Power (2018) and voicing support for issues including reproductive rights, anti-racism, and ceasefire calls in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict alongside condemnations of antisemitism during live performances.[5][6] These stances, rooted in his lyrical examinations of power and injustice, have drawn both acclaim from aligned audiences and scrutiny over perceived ideological consistencies amid broader cultural debates on institutional biases in media coverage of such topics.[7]

Early life

Upbringing and family

Andrew John Hozier-Byrne was born on March 17, 1990, in Bray, County Wicklow, Ireland.[2][8] He grew up in the nearby area of Delgany with his older brother, Jon, in a household shaped by his parents' artistic and musical pursuits.[9] His mother, Raine Hozier-Byrne, is a visual artist whose paintings have influenced family creative endeavors.[10] His father, John Byrne, was a drummer in Dublin-based blues bands before transitioning to banking work, providing early exposure to rhythm and blues music through home record collections and performances.[2][11] The family faced challenges when John Byrne underwent spinal surgery during Hozier's early childhood, around age six, which failed and resulted in permanent wheelchair use, adding financial and emotional strain.[12][11] Despite this, the home environment emphasized creativity, with Hozier recalling influences from his father's blues and soul selections alongside local Irish musical traditions.[13] Hozier and his brother were raised in the Quaker faith after their parents, originally from Catholic backgrounds, converted, attending weekly meetings that emphasized pacifism, equality, and social responsibility.[14][15] This upbringing in County Wicklow's rural setting, amid Ireland's post-Troubles context, introduced early awareness of historical conflicts and community-oriented values, though Hozier later identified as agnostic while retaining respect for Quaker principles.[16][17]

Education and initial interests

Hozier attended St. Gerard's School, a Catholic secondary school in Bray, County Wicklow.[2][18] In 2009, he enrolled in the music program at Trinity College Dublin but withdrew after his first term, prioritizing songwriting and performance over academic theory, which he found unengaging.[19][20][18] His early musical pursuits were largely self-directed; he taught himself guitar and drew inspiration from blues artists such as Howlin' Wolf, whose raw style influenced his initial experiments with the instrument.[18][21] He also sang in his school choir, honing vocal skills through group performances that exposed him to gospel and soul elements.[18] These activities, including participation in local open mic sessions, fostered his pre-professional development apart from formal training.[19]

Career

Early involvement in music (2008–2012)

Hozier joined the Irish choral ensemble Anúna in 2007, remaining a member through 2012, during which period he toured internationally and contributed to recordings, including a solo vocal performance on the track "La Chanson de Mardi Gras" from their 2014 album Illuminations.[22] [2] Earlier, around age 15 in approximately 2005, he fronted his first band, a group that emphasized blues covers and originals, marking his initial foray into performing with others beyond family influences.[23] While studying music at Trinity College Dublin starting in 2009, Hozier participated in the Trinity Orchestra and began performing original material and covers solo at open mic nights and small venues around the city, building grassroots experience amid a competitive local scene.[2] [24] These appearances honed his stage presence and songwriting, often drawing on blues and folk elements, though they yielded limited professional traction at the time. In pursuit of a recording career, Hozier skipped college exams in 2012 to produce demos for a music label, resulting in the denial of a requested academic deferral and his subsequent departure from Trinity to focus full-time on music.[25] This period reflected persistent challenges in securing major label interest, as initial efforts emphasized independent demos over immediate commercial releases.

Breakthrough and debut success (2013–2016)

In 2013, Hozier signed with the Irish independent label Rubyworks, which facilitated the production and promotion of his early recordings.[26] His debut single, "Take Me to Church," was released in Ireland on September 13, 2013, accompanied by a music video uploaded to YouTube on September 25 that rapidly gained traction and went viral, amassing millions of views.[27][28] This online momentum led to a licensing deal with Island Records in the UK and Columbia Records in the US.[29] The track achieved international chart success, peaking at number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in December 2014.[30] Hozier's self-titled debut album followed on September 19, 2014, debuting at number 1 on the Irish Albums Chart and entering the top 10 in multiple countries including the US, UK, and Australia.[31] The record, featuring soulful blues-infused tracks like "From Eden" released as the second single on March 9, 2014, sold over 3 million copies worldwide and earned multi-platinum certifications, including 3x platinum in the United States by the RIAA.[32][33] Its commercial breakthrough was bolstered by extensive touring, with Hozier performing at major festivals and venues to support the album's rollout. The success of "Take Me to Church" earned Hozier his first Grammy Award nomination for Song of the Year at the 57th Annual Grammy Awards in 2015, highlighting the track's critical acclaim for its lyrical depth and musical arrangement.[1] During this period, he performed the song live with Annie Lennox at the ceremony, further elevating his profile.[34] By 2016, the album's momentum had established Hozier as a prominent figure in contemporary music, with sustained radio play and streaming numbers contributing to its enduring popularity.

Expansion and second album era (2017–2021)

Following the success of his debut album, Hozier began developing new material in 2017, culminating in the release of the *Nina Cried Power* EP on September 7, 2018.[35] The four-track EP, written and performed primarily by Hozier, featured gospel singer Mavis Staples on the title track, which pays homage to the tradition of protest music through references to artists like Nina Simone.[36] This release marked an artistic shift toward explicit engagement with historical and social themes in music, bridging personal songwriting with broader activist legacies amid growing commercial expectations post-debut.[37] The EP's momentum carried into Hozier's second studio album, Wasteland, Baby!, released on March 1, 2019.[38] The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart, selling 135,000 equivalent album units in its first week.[39] Key singles included "Movement," which intertwines romantic devotion with imagery of apocalyptic survival, and "Almost (Sweet Music)," reflecting on love's redemptive potential against existential threats.[40] Overall, the record explores themes of love, loss, and societal decay—ranging from despair over collapse to hopeful resilience—while evolving Hozier's blues-infused style with orchestral and soul elements to meet heightened industry scrutiny.[41][42] The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted traditional activities from early 2020 onward, prompting Hozier to adapt through remote performances and virtual engagements. On March 20, 2020, he contributed to Global Citizen's #TogetherAtHome initiative, delivering a home-based set to promote pandemic response actions like social distancing.[43] These live streams and online collaborations sustained fan connection during lockdowns, which Hozier later described as influencing his songwriting process by enforcing isolation yet fostering introspective output.[44] By 2021, this period underscored his pivot toward digital visibility, preserving artistic momentum without major physical releases until subsequent eras.[45]

Recent releases and tours (2022–present)

Hozier's third studio album, Unreal Unearth, was released on August 18, 2023, comprising 16 tracks that draw structural inspiration from Dante's Inferno, mapping the nine circles of Hell to explorations of love, loss, and human resilience amid environmental and existential crises.[46][47] The album's thematic framework contrasts infernal descent with motifs of redemption and intimacy, as evidenced in singles like "Eat Your Young," released March 17, 2023, which Hozier described as satirizing short-term exploitation of future generations through war profiteering, cultural divisions, and ecological neglect, likening it to "sacrificing the future... for the sake of short-term gain."[48][49] Complementing the album, Hozier issued the Unheard EP on March 22, 2024, featuring four tracks recorded during Unreal Unearth sessions but omitted from the final cut: "Too Sweet," "Empire Now," "Fare Well," and "Wildflower and Barley."[50][51] A deluxe edition, Unreal Unearth: Unending, followed on December 6, 2024, expanding to 26 tracks by incorporating material from the 2023 Eat Your Young EP and other contemporaneous recordings.[52] The Unreal Unearth Tour commenced in 2023 to support the album, encompassing arena and festival performances across Europe, North America, and beyond, with extensions into 2025 marking Hozier's first stadium headline dates.[53] In January 2025, additional North American legs were announced, including amphitheater and stadium stops at Fenway Park in Boston on June 23, T-Mobile Park in Seattle, and Ak-Chin Pavilion in Phoenix, alongside dates in Salt Lake City, Portland, and Toronto.[53][54] On October 24, 2025, Hozier collaborated with Mumford & Sons on the single "Rubber Band Man," a folk-rock track produced by Aaron Dessner of The National, emphasizing rhythmic interplay and thematic resilience in adversity.[55][56]

Artistry

Musical influences and style

Hozier's musical influences are rooted in blues traditions, with Muddy Waters cited as a major figure who shaped his early listening during adolescence.[57] He has also drawn from Billie Holiday and other blues and jazz artists, reflecting a broad appreciation for mid-20th-century American genres.[58] His father's participation in Dublin blues bands further embedded these sounds in his formative years.[59] Gospel and soul elements, alongside Irish folk and traditional music, form additional pillars of his inspirations.[60][21] Notable figures like Nina Simone and Tom Waits have likewise impacted his approach.[61] Stylistically, Hozier's work blends folk, soul, blues, and R&B into a cohesive sound that defies rigid categorization.[62] Central to this is his deep baritone voice, which provides a resonant, emotive foundation capable of conveying intensity across his range. Arrangements typically emphasize guitar-driven structures, prioritizing raw emotional delivery over adherence to trends.[63] Over time, his production has evolved from the stripped-back, organic quality of his debut album to more expansive layers, incorporating orchestral elements and gospel choir textures in subsequent releases and live performances.[64][65] This progression maintains a focus on sonic depth while integrating synth and fuller instrumentation for heightened dynamism.[66]

Songwriting process

Hozier typically initiates songwriting with a concise lyrical element, such as a couplet or single line embodying a central emotion, which may pair with an emerging melody or chord sequence.[67] This method fluctuates, occasionally commencing with musical structures like chords prior to lyric integration, reflecting the personal variability inherent to his craft.[23] Initial ideas often arise from observational insights into human experiences, captured as notes or fragments during periods like tours, and demoed informally in settings such as his parents' attic using basic recording tools.[23] Development proceeds through iterative experimentation, involving repeated loose playthroughs to refine concepts, systematically eliminating mismatched words via prolonged repetition until the composition aligns tightly with its foundational intent.[67] This meticulous trimming and nurturing of nascent ideas can span a year or longer per song, prioritizing fidelity to the core feeling over hasty completion.[68] While Hozier predominantly authors lyrics solo, refinements occur in collaboration with producers like Rob Kirwan, transitioning raw demos into structured recordings.[23] Exemplifying spontaneity balanced against polish, "Take Me to Church" materialized largely intact from attic demos, preserving an unpolished vocal and arrangement vitality that guided subsequent studio enhancements without major structural overhauls.[26] Band contributions integrate during this phase for fuller arrangements, adapting initial solo sketches to production realities like live vocal captures and instrumental layering.[23]

Lyrical themes and interpretations

Hozier's lyrics frequently explore the interplay between human desire, sexuality, and spirituality, often positioning intimate acts as a form of authentic reverence superior to institutionalized religion. In "Take Me to Church," released in 2013, he employs the church as a metaphor for both the ecstasy of love and the dogma that suppresses it, stating that the song equates sex with humanity's core essence rather than ritualistic piety. This theme recurs across his debut album, where romantic devotion confronts mortality and folklore, as in "In the Woods Somewhere," which weaves personal vulnerability with primal, life-or-death encounters in nature.[69][70] Mythological and literary allusions deepen these motifs, transforming personal narratives into allegories for existential struggles. Hozier's work draws on classical myths, such as the Orpheus-Eurydice tale in "Talk" from Unreal Unearth (2023), to examine love's irrational pull toward loss and redemption, portraying it as an inevitable descent into underworld-like trials. The album Unreal Unearth structures its tracks around Dante's Inferno, using the nine circles of Hell to allegorize themes of sin, judgment, and renewal through environmental and human decay, with songs like "Eat Your Young" evoking bog-preserved bodies as symbols of enduring yet corrupted vitality. These references allow dual readings: intimate catharsis in romantic surrender versus broader commentary on the human condition's cyclical brutality.[71][72][73] Incorporation of Irish Gaelic reinforces cultural identity amid universal themes, as seen in "De Selby (Part 1)" from Unreal Unearth, where phrases evoke ancestral roots and linguistic heritage to ground abstract journeys in personal origin. Hozier's songwriting has evolved from the debut's confessional intensity—focusing on raw emotional confessions tied to Irish folklore—to more expansive, narrative-driven epics in later releases, integrating global myths while retaining motifs of death as transformation rather than endpoint. Critics note this progression yields profound maturity but can render lyrics opaque through dense symbolism, demanding listeners unpack layered allusions for full comprehension.[74][75][76]

Personal life

Relationships and privacy

Hozier has consistently maintained a high degree of privacy regarding his romantic relationships, rarely providing public details or confirmation about partners. In interviews, he has expressed that media scrutiny can undermine the authenticity of personal connections, preferring to shield intimate aspects of his life from public consumption.[77][78] This approach aligns with his broader emphasis on independence, particularly after dropping out of Trinity College Dublin in 2009 to pursue music full-time, which he has described as fostering self-reliance without reliance on public validation.[79] His earliest confirmed romantic involvement was with Irish singer Loah (Sallay Matu Garnett) around 2014, during which they co-wrote the song "Someone New," later acknowledged by Hozier as inspired by their relationship.[79][80] Subsequent links to figures such as actress Saoirse Ronan in 2017 remain unconfirmed, with Ronan evading direct questions on the matter.[81][82] Other rumored associations, including with model Saab Magalona, lack substantiation from reliable accounts and appear speculative.[83] Since July 2023, Hozier has been in a relationship with model Hana Mayeda, which he publicly confirmed via social media while defending her against online harassment over alleged past posts, which she denied as fabricated.[78][84] The couple maintained a low profile until their red carpet debut at the TIME100 Gala on April 24, 2025, in New York City, where they appeared together publicly for the first time.[85][86] As of October 2025, Hozier has not married or fathered children, continuing to prioritize personal boundaries amid his career.[87][79]

Health and lifestyle

Hozier experienced significant exhaustion following his extensive 2018–2019 world tour, describing himself as "completely burnt out" in a February 2019 interview, which prompted a period of recovery focused on rest and creative recharge.[88] He has noted that touring induces burnout at certain points due to its intensity, but he has cultivated skills over time to mitigate its effects and sustain performance demands.[89] For mental balance amid professional pressures, Hozier incorporates grounding routines involving nature, such as sea walks or brief immersions in water, which he identifies as effective for stabilizing mood during challenging periods.[90] His lifestyle reflects a preference for privacy and rootedness, with primary residence in his family home in Wicklow, Ireland, where he continues to sleep in his childhood bedroom during visits home, supplemented by temporary stays in Los Angeles for work-related periods.[91]

Activism and political views

Critiques of religion and institutions

Hozier's song "Take Me to Church," released in 2013, serves as a prominent critique of organized religion's institutional hypocrisy, particularly the Catholic Church's stance on human sexuality and LGBTQ+ relationships. The lyrics juxtapose religious worship with intimate acts, portraying the church as an oppressive force that demands confession and control over personal desires, drawing inspiration from Ireland's history of clerical sexual abuse scandals and cover-ups. Hozier has described the track as targeting the "organization" of the church rather than individual faith, emphasizing its role in perpetuating shame and dogma over genuine spirituality.[92][93] The accompanying music video depicts the brutal persecution of a gay couple by a mob, symbolizing real-world violence enabled by religious condemnation.[70] In interviews, Hozier has linked these themes to Ireland's institutional abuses, including the Magdalene Laundries and residential schools run by the Catholic Church, where thousands of women and children endured forced labor, physical punishment, and sexual exploitation from the early 20th century through the 1990s. He performed at the Stand4Truth rally on August 26, 2018, in Dublin during Pope Francis's visit, solidarity with survivors of clerical abuse, highlighting the church's systemic failures in accountability. Hozier has stated that the Catholic Church "provides a justification for homophobia" and operates as "an organization of men" more concerned with power than faith, reflecting his view that such institutions irreparably damaged Irish society.[94][95][96] Despite these positions, Hozier was raised in a Quaker household—parents who had left Catholicism for the Protestant Quaker faith—attending a Catholic school, which exposed him to both traditions and informed his nuanced perspective on religion's cultural significance in Ireland without endorsing institutional authority. He has clarified that his work opposes dogmatic control, not personal belief, and has received supportive letters from some pastors interpreting the song as a call against corruption.[97][98] The song and Hozier's statements have drawn praise from LGBTQ+ advocates for challenging religious-based discrimination, yet faced backlash from conservative Christian commentators who label the lyrics blasphemous and anti-Christian, arguing they equate sexual acts with sacrament while rejecting biblical morality. Critics from evangelical perspectives contend the track promotes idolatry of human desire over divine worship, though Hozier maintains it exposes institutional perversion rather than faith itself.[99][100]

Broader social and political stances

Hozier publicly supported the repeal of Ireland's Eighth Amendment in the 2018 referendum on abortion rights, urging voters via social media to prioritize the safety and dignity of those in crisis pregnancies.[101] [102] He has consistently advocated for LGBTQ+ rights, referencing organized attacks on LGBT youths in the Republic of Ireland as inspiration for his 2013 single "Take Me to Church," and has spoken against the scapegoating of the community in political discourse.[103] [104] During performances, including a September 2023 concert in Washington, D.C., he displayed a "Protect Trans Kids" flag, reinforcing his stance on protections for transgender individuals amid legislative challenges.[105] In his 2023 EP Eat Your Young, Hozier critiqued war profiteering through the title track, using imagery of "skinnin' the children for a war drum" and selling arms for profit to highlight the incentives driving conflict and resource exploitation.[106] [107] The song's anti-capitalist and anti-war themes draw from historical patterns of gluttony in geopolitics, where short-term gains perpetuate violence.[108] Hozier has called for ceasefires in Gaza during multiple 2023–2025 performances, including at Lollapalooza in August 2024, where he debuted the unreleased "Nobody's Soldier" and urged audiences to contact politicians, and at Outside Lands in August 2025, emphasizing empathy for Palestinian self-determination.[109] [110] He frames these positions through Ireland's history of seeking independence from British rule, arguing in 2025 speeches that peace in the Middle East requires recognizing Palestine free from occupation, akin to Ireland's 1980 EU entry as a step toward sovereignty.[111] [112] While expressing anti-authoritarian and anti-imperial views, Hozier remains elusive on specific party affiliations, prioritizing civil liberties such as free speech, workers' rights, and reproductive autonomy over collectivist frameworks.[24] [113]

Criticisms and counterperspectives

Some attendees at Hozier's concerts have criticized his practice of delivering extended political speeches, arguing that they interrupt the musical performance and impose ideological views on audiences seeking escapism. During his June 6, 2024, show at Forest Hills Stadium in Queens, New York, multiple fans reportedly walked out after Hozier accused Israel of committing genocide and advocated for a free Palestine, with one attendee audibly cursing the singer before leaving with companions.[114] [115] [116] Conservative and Christian commentators have faulted Hozier's lyrical critiques of organized religion, particularly in tracks like "Take Me to Church," for framing ecclesiastical institutions as uniquely oppressive while equating human intimacy to a form of worship that rejects traditional doctrine. Analyses from religious perspectives describe the song's imagery—such as offering "drama" at an altar and decrying "gospels" of hypocrisy—as promoting an antichrist ethos that glorifies sensuality over scriptural morality, without addressing analogous moral failings in non-religious power structures.[99] [100] Online discourse has leveled charges of performative activism against Hozier, positing that his songs decrying war, colonialism, and exploitation ring hollow given perceived inconsistencies in his personal circle, including his partner's involvement in cultural appropriation through tourism and aesthetic choices.[117] Counterperspectives from supporters emphasize that such expressions continue a lineage of Irish musicians using platforms for dissent, drawing parallels to historical advocacy against oppression, and argue that audience applause at similar monologues—such as those linking civil rights movements to contemporary conflicts—demonstrates broad resonance rather than widespread alienation.[6] [118] These defenses contend that polarizing reactions reflect broader cultural divides, particularly in the U.S., where Hozier's Irish-rooted progressivism may encounter resistance from conservative-leaning listeners, though empirical attendance and sales data indicate minimal long-term commercial detriment.[119]

Reception and legacy

Commercial achievements

Hozier's debut single "Take Me to Church," released in 2013, has amassed over 1 billion streams on Spotify as of 2023 and achieved diamond certification from the RIAA in March 2023, denoting 10 million certified units in the United States.[120][121] The track's enduring popularity contributed to his overall catalog sales exceeding 5 million albums worldwide, including 3.5 million in the United States and 700,000 in the United Kingdom, according to aggregated sales data through recent years.[122] His sophomore album Wasteland, Baby! debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 in March 2019, earning 89,000 equivalent album units in its first week, marking his first chart-topping release in the US.[123][124] The 2023 album Unreal Unearth generated significant streaming revenue, bolstered by the single "Too Sweet," which debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in April 2024 and ranked seventh among the most-streamed songs globally on Spotify in 2024, with over 1 billion streams by October 2024.[125][126][127] The Unreal Unearth Tour (2023–2025) sold over 1 million tickets across more than 83 North American shows by early 2025, prompting extensions including first-time US stadium dates and sellouts at major amphitheaters, contributing to record profits of €6.29 million for Hozier's entertainment firm by December 2024, largely from touring revenue.[128][129][130]

Critical reception

Hozier's eponymous debut album, released in 2014, received generally positive critical acclaim, aggregating to a Metacritic score of 79 out of 100 based on 24 reviews. Critics highlighted its raw emotional intensity, blending blues, soul, and gospel influences with Hozier's commanding baritone vocals and introspective lyrics on love and spirituality. The Guardian described it as a "stunning debut" marked by "understated maturity," while The Independent praised its "gorgeous, brooding intensity" derived from traditional roots.[131][132] Subsequent releases showed a stylistic shift toward more expansive production, drawing mixed responses. Wasteland, Baby! (2019) earned a Metacritic score of 67 out of 100, with reviewers faulting its length—14 tracks spanning over an hour—for bloat and repetition that sapped the debut's urgency; Pitchfork noted it "falls prey to the humdrum, all its power wrung dry." Unreal Unearth (2023), scoring 77 out of 100 on Metacritic, was lauded by NME as "epic, expansive and ethereal" for its poetic explorations of remorse and human joy, but Pitchfork critiqued its "mishmash of mythology and past-date pop" as pretentious and disjointed, leaving Hozier sounding like an "interloper" in his own sound.[133][134][135][136] Reviewers have traced Hozier's evolution from a blues purist—evident in the debut's gritty folk-soul authenticity—to a pop experimenter incorporating orchestral swells and genre fusions, sometimes at the expense of his early raw edge for wider accessibility; NPR early on emphasized his "wowing" blues-driven sensation, contrasting later works' polished ambition. Vocal prowess remains a near-universal strength, though some fault lyrical density for veering into overwrought territory. Consensus holds his studio output as inconsistently innovative, with live performances earning stronger praise for dynamic energy and unflagging delivery, as Variety observed in a 2024 review of his "electrifying" command despite illness.[137][138]

Cultural impact and controversies

Hozier's integration of Irish folk, blues, and soul has influenced a resurgence of folk-rock aesthetics among millennials and younger listeners, fostering renewed interest in genre-blending sounds that prioritize raw vocals and socially conscious lyrics over polished production.[139][140] His debut single "Take Me to Church," accompanied by a 2013 music video portraying homophobic violence against a same-sex couple, elevated global conversations on institutional religion's complicity in anti-LGBTQ discrimination, drawing parallels to events in Russia while resonating in Ireland amid ongoing tensions over the Catholic Church's historical sway on laws criminalizing homosexuality until 1993.[141][142] The video's stark imagery prompted public discourse in Ireland on church-state separation, contributing to cultural momentum ahead of the 2015 marriage equality referendum, though Hozier emphasized the song's broader critique of organized religion's suppression of personal devotion rather than explicit advocacy.[143] Debates over cultural appropriation have shadowed Hozier's acknowledgments of Black musical forebears, notably in the 2018 EP track "Nina Cried Power," which credits figures like Nina Simone, James Brown, and J.M. Robertson for powering protest music but faced pushback from critics who contend that white performers, even when self-reflexive, derive commercial gain from blues traditions originating in Black American experiences of oppression, without fully reckoning with unequal access to those origins.[144][145] Such critiques, often aired in online forums, argue that explicit tributes do not mitigate systemic benefits accrued by artists outside marginalized communities, though Hozier framed the song as honoring the "spirit and bravery" of activist voices rather than claiming ownership.[146] Hozier's 2025 festival appearances amplified controversies surrounding his platform's use for geopolitical advocacy, as calls for a Gaza ceasefire and Palestinian statehood—delivered at events like Outside Lands on August 12, ACL Fest on October 4, and Summerfest on June 20—elicited cheers from aligned audiences but triggered walkouts by pro-Israel attendees in New York and elsewhere, who viewed the rhetoric accusing Israel of genocide as inflammatory and divisive.[110][111][147] These moments underscored tensions between artistic expression and audience expectations, with Hozier balancing such statements alongside condemnations of antisemitism to affirm support for minority rights without endorsing hatred.

Discography

Studio albums

Hozier's eponymous debut studio album, Hozier, was released on 19 September 2014 through Island Records and Rubyworks Records.[148] The standard edition comprises 13 tracks, with recording sessions taking place primarily in studios located in Dublin and Wicklow, Ireland, including Cauldron, Westland, and Exchequer Studios, spanning 2013 to 2014.[149] Production credits list Hozier (Andrew Hozier-Byrne) as a key producer alongside collaborators such as Rob Kirwan.[150] The track "Cherry Wine" was notably recorded live outdoors in Greystones.[149] His second studio album, Wasteland, Baby!, followed on 1 March 2019 via Island Records.[151] The album includes 14 tracks and features production emphasizing fuller arrangements, including orchestral elements and horn sections, with Hozier again co-producing alongside engineers like Glenn Kotche.[152] Recording occurred across multiple sessions, reflecting an evolution from the debut's more intimate sound.[153] Unreal Unearth, Hozier's third studio album, was released on 18 August 2023 by Island Records and Column Records.[154] It consists of 16 tracks on the standard edition, structured as a loose concept album drawing thematic inspiration from Dante Alighieri's Inferno, mapping songs to the circles of hell while exploring motifs of love, loss, and environmental decay.[47] Production involved Hozier collaborating with producers such as George Murphy and Sergio Verdú, incorporating layered instrumentation including strings and percussion to evoke a journey-like progression.[155]

Extended plays and singles

Hozier's *Nina Cried Power* EP, released on September 7, 2018, comprises four tracks honoring protest music traditions, with the title song featuring gospel singer Mavis Staples and addressing themes of activism through artists like Nina Simone and James Brown.[156] The EP also includes "Moment's Silence (Common Tongue)," "Shrike" (live version), and "Revelation" featuring Damien Rice, available in digital and vinyl formats.[157] [158] The Unheard EP followed on March 22, 2024, presenting four tracks recorded during sessions for the Unreal Unearth album but excluded from its final cut, including "Wildflower and Barley" as a duet with Allison Russell.[159] These songs explore introspective and folk-infused themes, released digitally with physical editions via the artist's store.[160] [161] Among Hozier's singles, "Take Me to Church," initially released September 13, 2013, as a digital download, achieved peak positions including number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and has sold over 15 million units in the United States, earning 15× platinum certification.[162] [163] Its gospel-influenced critique of institutional hypocrisy drove multi-format success across radio and streaming.[164] "Too Sweet," released March 22, 2024, as a digital single, topped the Billboard Hot 100 for one week and sustained chart presence for 52 weeks, fueled by viral streaming and radio airplay exceeding 100% weekly gains at peaks.[165] [166] The track's blend of blues and indie elements marked Hozier's first number-one hit in the US.[167]

Tours and performances

Headlining tours

Hozier's debut headlining world tour, launched in support of his self-titled 2014 album, spanned 2014 and 2015 with 114 concerts in 2014 and 180 in 2015, transitioning from club venues to larger theaters and arenas amid surging demand driven by the hit "Take Me to Church."[168][169] The tour included dates across North America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand, featuring upgrades such as performances at mid-sized halls like the Ryman Auditorium and Greek Theatre after initial sold-out runs.[169][170] The Wasteland, Baby! Tour, promoting his 2019 album of the same name, ran from March 2019 through late 2019 with 153 documented concerts, primarily in arenas and amphitheaters across North America and Europe.[171][172] Extensions into fall 2019 targeted additional U.S. cities, but the tour concluded prematurely in November 2019 due to the emerging COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted global live events.[173] The Unreal Unearth Tour, tied to his 2023 album, commenced in 2023 and extended globally into 2025, encompassing over 200 shows with a focus on amphitheaters.[174] The 2025 North American leg, announced in early 2025, includes stops in cities such as Boston, Salt Lake City, Portland, Seattle, and Toronto, beginning in May in Bogotá, Colombia, and continuing through October across U.S. venues.[53][175]

Notable collaborations and appearances

In 2025, Hozier featured on Mumford & Sons' single "Rubber Band Man," a folk-rock track produced by Aaron Dessner that explores relational push-pull dynamics through banjo-driven instrumentation and harmonious vocals.[55] The collaboration, released on October 24, marked a mutual nod to shared folk roots, with Hozier contributing layered harmonies to the band's return to acoustic elements after electronic experiments.[176] Hozier has engaged in several cross-genre guest features, including a 2023 reworking of Noah Kahan's "Northern Attitude" from the Stick Season album, where his soulful baritone added emotional depth to the folk-indie track about rural identity and resilience.[177] In 2019, he collaborated with Maren Morris on her hit "The Bones," intertwining his bluesy timbre with her country vocals to emphasize themes of relational fidelity amid temptation.[178] The pair later reunited for a live duet of Hozier's "Take Me to Church" at the 2023 CMT Crossroads special, blending soul, rock, and country in a televised performance.[179] Notable appearances include Hozier's closing set at the Outside Lands Music Festival on August 10, 2025, in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park, where he performed a 90-minute blend of hits like "Nobody's Soldier" and "Jackie and Wilson" to a crowd of over 20,000, capping the event's third day.[180] Earlier in the year, he contributed vocals to Lucy Dacus' album Forever Is a Feeling, released March 28, highlighting indie-folk synergies in tracks drawing from personal introspection.[181] Hozier has participated in charity-linked tributes, such as donating all proceeds from his 2014 single "Cherry Wine" to global domestic abuse organizations, including the National Domestic Violence Hotline and Irish charity Aosdan.[182] In civil rights contexts, he curated a 2018 NPR guest DJ session spotlighting protest songs by artists like Mavis Staples and Nina Simone, underscoring music's role in activism without direct performance collaboration.[183]

Awards and honors

Major awards

Hozier won the Ivor Novello Award for Best Song Musically and Lyrically for "Take Me to Church" at the 60th Ivor Novello Awards ceremony on May 21, 2015.[184] The award, presented by the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers, and Authors, recognized the track's musical and lyrical composition.[185] At the 2015 Billboard Music Awards on May 17, 2015, Hozier received two honors: Top Rock Artist and Top Rock Song, both for "Take Me to Church".[186] These victories highlighted the single's commercial dominance on Billboard charts, including its peak at number two on the Hot 100.[187]
YearAwardCategoryRecipient
2015Billboard Music AwardsTop Rock ArtistHozier
2015Billboard Music AwardsTop Rock Song"Take Me to Church"
2015Ivor Novello AwardsBest Song Musically and Lyrically"Take Me to Church"

Other recognitions

In July 2021, An Post issued a set of four stamps honoring Irish singer-songwriters who performed at the Glastonbury Festival, featuring Hozier alongside Christy Moore, Lisa Hannigan, and Sinéad O'Connor.[188] Hozier described the recognition as "hands down one of the greatest honours of my life," highlighting its significance in the company of these artists.[189] Hozier was included in TIME magazine's 2025 list of the 100 Most Influential People, selected in the Artists category for his cultural impact.[190] He attended the TIME100 Gala in New York City on April 24, 2025, where he performed and engaged with other honorees.[191]

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  102. Hozier urges Irish men to vote Yes in abortion referendum
  103. Q&A: Irish Musician Hozier on Gay Rights, Sexuality, & Good Hair
  104. Hozier on the LGB and trans community being targeted as ... - NME
  105. Hozier Waved a “Protect Trans Kids” Flag at His D.C. Concert | Them
  106. Eat Your Young by Hozier - Songfacts
  107. The Powerful Anti-Colonialism Of Hozier - Junkee Archive
  108. A 6-Track Sampler of Hozier's Protest Songs - American Songwriter
  109. Watch Hozier give unreleased song 'Nobody's Soldier' its live debut ...
  110. Hozier blends soulful performance with Gaza ceasefire plea during ...
  111. Hozier speaks out on civil rights, Palestine and empathy at ACL Fest
  112. Hozier Speaks Out For Social Justice and Palestine's Right to ...
  113. https://collegetribune.ie/hoziers-timely-return-to-a-new-age-of-activism/
  114. Fans Walk Out of Hozier Concert in New York After Irish Singer ...
  115. Hozier Fans Reportedly Left His Forest Hills Concert After He ...
  116. Some fans leave Hozier's Forest Hills concert in NYC after speech ...
  117. Opinion on Hozier (Insincerity) - Reddit
  118. Hozier captivates with a night of activism, music and heritage
  119. Hozier review – who says pop can't be political? - The Guardian
  120. @hozier #TakeMeToChurch has been certified Diamond ... - Instagram
  121. Sara Meneghini's Post - LinkedIn
  122. HOZIER album sales - BestSellingAlbums.org
  123. Hozier Interview: Reacts to First No. 1 Album 'Wasteland, Baby!'
  124. HOZIER SCORES NO. 1 ON THE U.S. ALBUM CHART & NO. 1 ON ...
  125. Hozier Nets First No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100 with “Too Sweet ...
  126. "Too Sweet" Has officially passed 1 billion streams on Spotify! - Reddit
  127. Hozier's 'Too Sweet' included on Spotify Wrapped's most streamed ...
  128. Hozier extends tour after topping 1m ticket sales | IQ Magazine
  129. Hozier announces 2025 Unreal Unearth Tour - The Music Universe
  130. Hozier's firm enjoys record profits for 2024 - RTE
  131. Hozier by Hozier Reviews and Tracks - Metacritic
  132. Critic Reviews for Hozier - Metacritic
  133. Hozier: Wasteland, Baby! Album Review - Pitchfork
  134. Unreal Unearth by Hozier Reviews and Tracks - Metacritic
  135. Hozier: Unreal Unearth Album Review - Pitchfork
  136. Hozier - 'Unreal Unearth' review: epic, expansive and ethereal - NME
  137. Talking Blues With Hozier, A One-Man Irish Invasion - NPR
  138. Hozier Gets a Hero's Welcome That Isn't 'Too Sweet' at All - Variety
  139. How Hozier Changed the Face of Contemporary Folk - So Sugary
  140. https://www.cavalierdaily.com/article/2024/12/are-we-having-an-all-folk-revival
  141. Hozier's Passionate Challenge to the Catholic Church—and to ...
  142. Irish singer Hozier takes on the Catholic Church and goes viral
  143. Hozier's song lyrics spark controversy - The Baylor Lariat
  144. Hozier's 'Nina Cried Power' addresses cultural appropriation and ...
  145. deleted threads/moderation re: cultural appropriation : r/Hozier
  146. Watch Hozier Perform 'Nina Cried Power' On World Cafe - NPR
  147. Fans Walk Out of Hozier Concert in New York After Irish Singer ...
  148. Rediscover Hozier's Eponymous Debut Album 'Hozier' (2014) | Tribute
  149. https://www.discogs.com/release/7072911-Hozier-Hozier
  150. Hozier (Album) - Hozier Wiki | Fandom
  151. Hozier Announces 'Wasteland, Baby!' Fifth Anniversary Vinyl Release
  152. Album Review: Hozier – Wasteland, Baby! - Belwood Music
  153. Hozier 'Wasteland, Baby!' Interview - Billboard
  154. https://usstore.hozier.com/products/unreal-unearth-unending-deluxe-3lp
  155. Unreal Unearth by Hozier | Album Review | Modern Music Analysis
  156. Hozier - Nina Cried Power ft. Mavis Staples - YouTube
  157. Nina Cried Power - EP - EP by Hozier | Spotify
  158. https://www.newburycomics.com/products/hozier-nina_cried_power_ep
  159. Unheard - EP - Album by Hozier - Apple Music
  160. https://usstore.hozier.com/collections/unheard-ep
  161. Unheard - EP by Hozier | Spotify
  162. Hozier | Biography, Music & News | Billboard
  163. Hozier's First No. 1 Hit Surges More Than 100% In Sales - Forbes
  164. Hozier reflects on 10 years of "Take Me to Church": "I'm charged with ...
  165. Hozier's 'Too Sweet' Hits No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100
  166. Hozier's "Too Sweet": How Did It Hit No. 1 on the Hot 100? - Billboard
  167. TOO SWEET – HOZIER - Official Charts
  168. Hozier Tour Statistics: 2014 - Setlist.fm
  169. Hozier's 2015 Concert & Tour History
  170. Hozier Releasing Debut Album, Announces 2015 U.S....
  171. Hozier's 2019 Concert & Tour History
  172. Hozier announces 2019 North American fall tour
  173. When does Hozier stop the Wasteland, Baby tour? - Reddit
  174. Hozier Concert Map by year: 2014 - Setlist.fm
  175. Unreal Unearth Tour 2025: Hozier
  176. https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/music/articles/mumford-sons-band-together-hozier-040100441.html
  177. GRAMMY-Nominated Noah Kahan Collabs with Hozier on 'Northern ...
  178. Maren Morris and Hozier Collaborate on 'The Bones'
  179. Maren Morris & Hozier Perform “Take Me To Church” CMT Crossroads
  180. Hozier delivers a stirring Outside Lands finale on third day
  181. Hozier has a collaboration on Lucy Dacus' new solo album "Forever ...
  182. Hozier: Charity Work & Causes - Look to the Stars
  183. Hozier: Why The Civil Rights Movement Still Resonate - NPR
  184. Ivor Novello awards 2015: Clean Bandit and Hozier triumph
  185. Hozier Wins Ivor Novello Award - Noise11.com
  186. Hozier Takes Home Two Billboard Music Awards! - JAS
  187. It was a big night for Hozier at last night's Billboard Music Awards ...
  188. New Irish stamps celebrate Christy Moore, Lisa Hannigan, Hozier ...
  189. Hozier - X
  190. Hozier Is on the 2025 TIME100 List - Time Magazine
  191. Hozier looking great at the #time100 Gala red carpet tonight, in New ...
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