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Artists like Hozier — and the music that made them

Indie Soul · 2013-present
Soulful Irish powerhouse blending gospel fervor with indie rock rebellion
Andrew Hozier-Byrne is an Irish singer-songwriter who exploded onto the global scene with his blues-drenched, gospel-influenced indie rock that tackles love, religion, and social justice with equal intensity. His rich, distinctive voice and sophisticated songwriting have established him as one of the most compelling artists of the 2010s, seamlessly weaving together spiritual yearning and political consciousness.
Essential tracks
Take Me to Church
Someone New
Work Song
Did you know
He was in a soul band called Anuna before going solo and studied music at Trinity College Dublin
Take Me to Church was recorded in his parents' attic and initially rejected by multiple record labels
He's a passionate environmental activist and has performed at climate change benefit concerts
“Gospel-trained voice meets blues-rock arrangements with poetic Irish storytelling.”
2
generations
of influence
Influence tree
Trace Hozier's roots back through history
Every sound has a source. Click any node to hear the connection.
Hozier
2013-present
Nina Simone
1958-2003
cited
Tom Waits
1973-present
sonic
Jeff Buckley
1990-1997
cited
Van Morrison
1964-present
cited
Muddy Waters
1940s-1980s
sonic
Aretha Franklin
1956-2018
sonic
Robert Johnson
1936-1937
sonic
Mahalia Jackson
1930s-1970s
movement
Lead Belly
1930s-1949
movement
↑ Click any influence node to see the connection and where to start listening.
What makes the sound
Sonic elements
Gospel-trained falsetto vocals
Delta blues guitar fingerpicking
Church organ and Hammond B3
Irish folk storytelling tradition
Start with these tracks
Take Me to Church
Work Song
Someone New
Movement
If you like Hozier, try these
Gary Clark Jr.
Blues-rock guitar work with soulful vocals and modern production sensibilities.
2010s · Blues Rock
Benjamin Booker
Raw gospel-influenced vocals over gritty blues-rock with literary songwriting.
2010s · Blues Rock
Leon Bridges
Retro soul vocals with contemporary indie sensibilities and spiritual themes.
2010s · Soul
Alabama Shakes
Powerful soul vocals with blues-rock arrangements and Southern Gothic atmosphere.
2010s · Soul Rock
Michael Kiwanuka
Vintage soul production with introspective lyrics and rich vocal harmonies.
2010s · Neo-Soul
Fantastic Negrito
Blues revival with gospel roots and socially conscious indie rock production.
2010s · Blues Rock
About this page

Music like Hozier — Andrew Hozier-Byrne is an Irish singer-songwriter who exploded onto the global scene with his blues-drenched, gospel-influenced indie rock that tackles love, religion, and social justice with equal intensity. His rich, distinctive voice and sophisticated songwriting have established him as one of the most compelling artists of the 2010s, seamlessly weaving together spiritual yearning and political consciousness.

Artists like Hozier today include Gary Clark Jr., Benjamin Booker, Leon Bridges, Alabama Shakes. If you enjoy Hozier, these artists share similar sonic qualities, influences, and emotional range.

Bands like Hozier and songs like Hozier are among the most searched music discovery queries — rootz.guru goes deeper by tracing the roots of the sound itself, not just surface-level similarity.