Unaired is the eighth extended play by Irish musician Hozier.
Background As with Hozier's previous EP Unheard, Unaired was recorded during the sessions for Hozier's 2023 album Unreal Unearth, but didn't make the final track listing.
Songs "Nobody's Soldier" is a song about not wanting to be in "destructive systems", as Hozier described it himself during an interview at Osheaga Festival. "July" was written by Hozier while he was waiting for the pandemic to end.
Artwork The album artwork for Unaired is similar to that of Unheard, in that it shows Hozier laying in dirt, but instead of Hozier laying on his side, he is laying on his back.
Release and promotion None of the tracks on the EP were made available prior to its release except for "Nobody's Soldier", but American magazine Variety was able to determine that "July" and "That You Are" were the other tracks on the EP a week before it was released. Hozier filmed a music video for the EP's only single "Nobody's Soldier".
Reception
In a 4 star review of Unaired, Ed Power of the Irish Times wrote that "Nobody's Soldier" "has an irresistible tectonic quality" and praising how it "searingly captures the dread bound up in so much of modern existence – a sense of trepidation rising through the music before he reaches the chorus".
Track listing
Credits and personnel Songs credits are adapted from Apple Music.
Nobody's Soldier Source:
Musicians Andrew Hozier-Byrne – vocals, songwriter Daniel Tannenbaum – strings, background vocals, organ, programming, songwriter Stuart Johnson – drums, percussion, background vocals, songwriter Peter Gonzales – drums, percussion, programming, background vocals, songwriter, vocal recording engineer Daniel Krieger – guitar, bass, songwriter, songwriter, vocal recording engineer Budapest Symphony Orchestra – strings, horn Danielle Withers, Aretha Scruggs, Nayanna Holley, Toni Scruggs, Fletcher Sheridan, Charles Jones, Kadeem Nichols, David Simmonds, Gregory Fletcher – choir
Production Sergiu Gherman – programming, songwriter, producer Bekon – producer Pete G – producer Matt Anthony – recording engineer Andrew Scheps – mixing engineer Greg Calbi – mastering engineer Steve Fallone – mastering engineer Chakra – producer
July Source:
Musicians Andrew Hozier-Byrne – vocals, songwriter, producer Jeff "Gitty" Gitelman – bass, synthesizer, acoustic guitar, piano, synthesizer programming, baritone guitar, songwriter, producer, recording engineer Stanley Randolph – drums Lisa McCormick – French horn Roland Garcia – percussion
Production R.J. Cardenas – recording engineer Andrew Scheps – mixing engineer Greg Calbi – mastering engineer Steve Fallone – mastering engineer
That You Are Source:
Musicians/songwriters Andrew Hozier-Byrne – vocals, songwriter Bedouine – vocals, guitar Gus Seyffert – bass, keyboards, percussion Azniv Korkejian – songwriter
Production Gus Seyffert – producer, recording engineer, mixing engineer Chris Szczech – recording engineer Greg Calbi – mastering engineer Steve Fallone – mastering engineer
References