The Swell Season - Forward
FORWARD
Forward is The Swell Season’s first full-length album in 16 years — a reunion of sorts for the pair of songwriters/vocalists Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová, following their 2009 album Strict Joy. The follow-up came after some reunion shows — what started as writing a few songs for gigs naturally evolved into a full album, recorded at Masterkey Studios in Iceland. The album was produced by Sturla Mio Thorisson and features a mix of original band members (strings, bass) plus a new drummer/percussionist for a refreshed but familiar Swell Season sound. According to Markéta Irglová, the title Forward reflects moving ahead — not looking back — even as they carry their shared history forward into new songs.
📀 Track Listing
- Factory Street Bells
- People We Used To Be
- Stuck In Reverse
- I Leave Everything To You
- A Little Sugar
- Pretty Stories
- Great Weight
- Hundred Words
THE SWELL SEASON
The self-titled debut from Glen Hansard (The Frames) and Markéta Irglová is an intimate, aching folk record that quietly became a modern classic. Sparse pianos, acoustic guitars, and raw, unvarnished vocals build an atmosphere that feels more like a conversation than an album—full of longing, vulnerability, and quiet emotional fire.
Standouts like “Falling Slowly,” “When Your Mind’s Made Up,” and “Leave” showcase the unmistakable chemistry between the two artists, blending Irish folk roots with delicate Czech-influenced melodies. It’s introspective, warm, and deeply human—an album that feels like reading someone’s most personal letters by candlelight.