Music discovery · Influence explorer

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.”

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

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Michael Kiwanuka

Vintage soul production with introspective lyrics and rich vocal harmonies.

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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.