"Cosmic Love" by Florence + The Machine has a similarly haunting quality that builds to a powerful climax. Hozier himself makes another appearance on our list with "Movement," recorded live in New York City.
The song's themes of love, sacrifice, and faith struck a chord with audiences worldwide, earning critical acclaim and cementing Hozier's place in the music industry. Give these songs a listen and see if any of them scratch that same itch.
1. Florence + The Machine - Cosmic Love"Cosmic Love" is a song by Florence + The Machine off their 2010 album, Lungs. The song is a haunting mix of soaring vocals and melancholy lyrics, with a powerful chorus that showcases Florence Welch's impressive range.
The instrumentation is primarily composed of piano and percussion, with occasional strings and backing vocals adding to the ethereal quality of the song. "Cosmic Love" is a stunning example of Florence + The Machine's unique sound, fusing elements of indie rock, pop, and folk to create a captivating listening experience.
2. Hozier - Movement - Recorded at Spotify Studios NYC"Movement" is a single by Hozier from his Wasteland, Baby! album, which was released in 2018. The song is a heartfelt ballad, with a strong emphasis on Hozier's soulful voice and acoustic guitar.
The track is very mellow and emotional, with a lyrical focus on love and the power of human connection. Hozier's singing is particularly powerful, with his voice soaring in the chorus and pulling at listeners' heartstrings.
The song has a gentle, sad tone that is both poignant and hauntingly beautiful. It's a mesmerizing tune that highlights Hozier's immense talent as a songwriter and performer.
3. KALEO - Broken Bones"Broken Bones" is a song by the Icelandic band KALEO from their self-titled album released in 2013. The song has a slow beat and a bluesy vibe with the lead singer's raw vocals adding to its depth.
The strumming of the guitar and the harmonica add to the song's country feel. The lyrics tell a story of a person who has been broken many times but still continues to get back up and fight through the pain.
The words and the music complement each other, and the song has a powerful emotional impact.
4. Billie Eilish - Six Feet Under"Six Feet Under" by Billie Eilish is a captivating song with a melancholic and eerie vibe. The slow and haunting melody combined with Billie Eilish's haunting voice creates a dark ambiance that will keep you entranced from beginning to end.
The lyrics talk about being in a state of uncertainty after a relationship has ended and the feeling of being lost in life. The instrumentation is minimalistic, with subtle yet impactful electronic beats that provide a strong foundation for the song.
It's a beautifully written and produced song that showcases the unique talent of Billie Eilish.
5. Bon Iver - Rosyln"Rosyln" by Bon Iver is a calm and contemplative song that was featured in the movie, The Twilight Saga: New Moon. The song starts off slow with acoustic guitar, and later the vocals and additional instruments come in.
The lead vocals are tender and soothing, and the harmonies weave in and out effortlessly. The lyrics are poetic and evoke a sense of longing and introspection.
The overall feeling of the song is mellow, and it's a great choice for when you want to relax and wind down after a busy day.
6. One Direction - Story of My Life"Story of My Life" is a song by the British-Irish boy band, One Direction, from their album Midnight Memories released in 2013. It's a soft rock ballad with a guitar-driven melody that reminds you of slow dancing with your loved one.
The band's harmonies are on-point and the heartfelt lyrics tell a story of past mistakes and growth that lead to new beginnings. The chorus is catchy and easily singable, giving the listener a warm feeling inside.
The overall sound is mellow, but it's a tune that can brighten anyone's day with its hopeful message.
7. James Newton Howard - The Hanging Tree"The Hanging Tree" by James Newton Howard is a song from the movie The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1 soundtrack. The song has a mix of acoustic and electronic sounds and is sung by Jennifer Lawrence in a haunting and emotional voice.
The song starts slow and mellow before building with powerful drums and a choir. It has a haunting melody mixed with emotional lyrics that convey a message of defiance and hope.
The song perfectly captures the mood of the movie and is sure to leave an impact on the listener.
8. Lukas Graham - 7 Years"7 Years" by Lukas Graham is an introspective and emotional ballad that reflects on growing up and the passage of time. The song features gentle piano melodies and acoustic guitar strumming softly in the background, while Lukas Graham's soulful and raspy vocals deliver poignant lyrics about the fleeting nature of youth and the importance of cherishing the moment.
As the song progresses, it builds up to a powerful chorus with soaring strings and a catchy melody that is difficult not to sing along to. This song is a beautiful and touching tribute to the bittersweet journey of life, and it's no surprise that it became a massive hit when it was released in 2015.
9. James Arthur - Train Wreck"Train Wreck" by James Arthur is a melancholic ballad that features soulful vocals with a piano-driven melody. The song is about someone who has lost their way and is going through difficult times.
The lyrics are poignant and relatable, making you feel deep emotions. The song's production is understated, allowing James Arthur's voice to take center stage.
The chorus is particularly catchy and leaves a lasting impression on the listener, making this song one that you'll keep coming back to. If you're a fan of James Arthur's music or enjoy music that speaks to the soul, then "Train Wreck" is definitely worth a listen.
The song was included in his 2016 album Back from the Edge.
10. Damien Rice - The Blower's Daughter"The Blower's Daughter" by Damien Rice is a beautiful and haunting song with a simple yet powerful melody. Rice's voice is alight with emotion as he sings about a tumultuous relationship.
The song is stripped down to just a guitar and strings, allowing the lyrics to take center stage. The slow, steady pace of the song matches the introspective and longing tone of the lyrics perfectly.
It's the type of song that sticks with you long after the final note has faded away. "The Blower's Daughter" is definitely a must-listen for fans of folk and indie music.
11. Shawn Mendes - Stitches"Stitches" by Shawn Mendes is an upbeat pop song from his album "Handwritten". It has a catchy melody and the lyrics are about heartbreak and trying to move on from a relationship that didn't work out.
The chorus is particularly memorable with Mendes' vocals soaring over the music. The song features a mix of acoustic and electronic instruments with a driving rhythm that makes you want to dance.
Overall, it's a fun, energetic song with a relatable message about overcoming heartbreak.
12. Harry Styles - As It Was"As It Was" is a song by Harry Styles, featured in his album Harry's House, which was released in 2022. The song captures a unique blend of rock and pop, driven by catchy guitar riffs, pounding drums, and soaring vocal melodies.
Harry Styles' signature vocal delivery is complemented perfectly by the track's nostalgic lyrics, which focus on a longing to return to simpler times. The song's arrangement is beautifully crafted, showcasing Harry Styles' prowess as both a songwriter and musician.
As a whole, "As It Was" is a testament to the power of music to evoke strong emotions and memories.
13. The Cinematic Orchestra - To Build A Home"To Build A Home" by The Cinematic Orchestra is a beautiful and emotional song that has a soft and melancholic feel to it. The song features stunning piano and string arrangements that create a somber atmosphere.
The singer's voice is delicate and soulful, adding to the song's overall emotional impact. Its lyrics are powerful and poignant, painting a picture of loss, longing, and finding a place to call home.
This is a must-listen for anyone who enjoys heartfelt and thoughtful music.
14. Bastille - Pompeii"Pompeii" by the British band Bastille is an indie-rock song from their first album Bad Blood released in 2013. The song starts with a steady drum rhythm followed by a guitar riff and later builds up to a powerful chorus with epic sounding vocals.
It has a catchy melody that makes you want to sing along with the refrain "But if you close your eyes, does it almost feel like nothing changed at all?" The song is about the feeling of being stuck in a moment and trying to hold on to it forever. It has a lot of energy and is great for singing along or dancing.
15. GROUPLOVE - Tongue Tied"Tongue Tied" by Grouplove is a fun and upbeat song from their album Never Trust a Happy Song released in 2011. The song has a catchy guitar riff and lively drums, making it perfect for dancing.
The vocals are playful and have a youthful energy to them. The chorus is especially catchy and easy to sing along to.
"Tongue Tied" is a great song to listen to when you need a pick-me-up or just feel like letting loose and having a good time.
16. alt-J - Breezeblocks"Breezeblocks" is a song by the band alt-J that was released in 2012 on their album An Awesome Wave. The song has a distinct indie rock and electronic sound with haunting vocals that border on falsetto.
The song starts with a steady drumbeat accompanied by a guitar riff that builds into the chorus which features a catchy melody and harmonies. The lyrics tell a story about a complex relationship that is both beautiful and unsettling, with references to violence and obsession.
The song is known for its unique and unconventional structure, switching between time signatures and tempos. Overall, it's a captivating and thought-provoking song that showcases alt-J's musical prowess.
17. The Killers - Mr. Brightside"Mr. Brightside" is a great song by The Killers, from their debut album Hot Fuss in 2004.
The track has a catchy upbeat tempo and a rock sound. The lead singer's voice is emotive, and the lyrics describe someone jealous and suspicious about their partner's infidelity.
The chorus is very energetic and can easily get stuck in your head. The overall instrumental composition is dynamic, with a guitar-driven sound that fills the listener with energy.
18. Lana Del Rey - Ride"Ride" is a song by the talented Lana Del Rey, which was released as a part of her Born To Die album in 2012. The song has a slow and melancholic melody with a prominent use of strings and piano, which perfectly complements the artist's deep and soulful voice.
The lyrics talk about a woman who is searching for love and freedom, both in relationships and in life. The song's haunting and emotional vibe makes it a standout track in the artist's discography.
19. Melanie Martinez - Pacify HerMelanie Martinez's song "Pacify Her" is a cool, catchy tune that's easy to sing along to. The beat is mellow and smooth, but still has a good amount of energy.
Melanie's voice is unique and very recognizable - she uses a lot of different vocal techniques throughout the song, like whispering and falsetto. The lyrics are all about a love triangle and the jealousy that comes with it, and they're really relatable.
It's a pretty great song that's perfect for listening to when you want something fun and upbeat.
20. Coldplay - Clocks"Clocks" by Coldplay is a song from their 2002 album, "A Rush of Blood to the Head". It's a recognizable and iconic song with a distinct intro melody that repeats throughout the song.
The song has a mellow and dreamy sound with Chris Martin's vocals hitting high notes in certain parts of the song. The drums are steady and add to the building intensity of the song, making it a perfect addition to any playlist for a night drive.
The song is widely popular and recognizable, making it a classic among Coldplay's many hit songs.
