In an exciting turn of events, The Swell Season have made a remarkable comeback with fresh music in 2023, marking their highly anticipated return with a brand new album after a long hiatus of 16 years.
The dynamic duo, consisting of Irish musician Glen Hansard and Czech singer and pianist Markéta Irglová, has announced that their upcoming album titled Forward is set to be released on June 13. This exciting news is accompanied by their latest single “Stuck in Reverse,” which showcases their unique sound and artistry.
Irglová expressed the significance of the album’s title, stating, “It felt right to title the record Forward because it’s a reunion of sorts, but we’re not going backwards. Both of us have grown and changed; we’re in different places and getting to know each other again as the new people we’ve become.” This sentiment beautifully captures the essence of their artistic evolution.
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Initially formed in 2005, The Swell Season made a significant impact with their self-titled album released the following year. They gained widespread recognition after starring in the lead roles of John Carney’s acclaimed 2007 film Once. Their heartfelt track “Falling Slowly” won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2008, followed by the release of their second album Strict Joy, which reached an impressive No. 15 on the Billboard 200 chart the following year.
Despite a number of sporadic performances over the years, the duo released “The Answer is Yes” in 2023, marking their first new release in over a decade. This recording session sparked the motivation for their eventual full-scale return. Hansard elaborated on their journey, stating, “After our whirlwind that led up to the Oscars and after, we were so busy, and with that came a pressure that neither of us particularly wanted. Ultimately, we kind of drifted amidst all of that hard work and celebration.”
“Our friendship remained strong as we supported each other on our respective projects and stayed involved in each other’s lives. While I was touring my last album, I realized how much I missed her. I remember reaching out to Markéta and suggesting, ‘Do you feel like doing some gigs?’ She responded positively, saying, ‘Yeah, that sounds great.’ The shows went exceptionally well, and once we reunited, new musical ideas began to flow, leading us to experiment with new concepts and perform songs live.”
“From that point on, the goal was to engage in some recording without any pressure, just to see where it might lead us. Before we knew it, we found ourselves in the process of creating a new album,” he continued. “Both of us were completely invested in this endeavor, and thus, we are excited to embark on a new chapter in our lives and careers.”
After recently performing a series of three concerts in New York City and Boston in March, the duo is set to embark on an extensive tour across Europe and the U.K. in May, followed by an additional return to North America during the summer months.
