As we reported last Friday, Hozier's self-titled debut album went straight to the top of the Irish Charts at the first week of asking. Today, however, we get a clearer picture of its truly remarkable success to date.
Hozier became by far the biggest-selling No. 1 record of the year to date, with sales of 7,320 in its first week, earning it platinum status in the process.
It surpassed the previous 2014 record holder, Ed Sheeran's x, which sold 6,000 copies in its first week.
The Bray man also outsold the legendary Leonard Cohen, who returned with Popular Problems, by three to one last week and, Hot Press understands, moved more copies than the rest of the Top 15 on the Irish Albums Chart combined. It truly is an amazing outcome for the Hot Press cover star. It is certain to inspire an even greater conviction on the part of Universal Music, who are handling the international release of the album, that this is a record that can take the world by storm.
The album's success also saw the seminal 'Take Me To Church' re-enter the Top 10 of the Irish Singles Chart, exactly one year to the week after its initial release.
Hozier performed the single when making his UK television debut on Later with... Jools Holland. See the performance below.