Photo Credit: Anthony Mulcahy
The acclaimed folk-rock duo, Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová, have revived their project The Swell Season and announced the June 13 arrival of their forthcoming record, Forward. The impending release marks the pair’s first new set of music in 16 years, following their self-titled 2006 debut and sophomore follow-up, 2009’s Strict Joy.
The forthcoming eight-track musical compilation remains true to the pair’s heart-tugging, emotionally guided tendencies to evoke catharsis, while also reestablishing the artistic provenance of their latest chapter. Leading the charge and representing the lead from their impending release is the single “Stuck in Reverse,” arriving alongside a James Del and Anthony Mulcahy-produced music video, filmed during the group’s pop-up New York concert last month.
Forward was produced by Sturla Mio Thorisson and recorded at his and Irglova’s Masterkey Studios in Iceland with instrumental assistance from original Swell Season musicians Marja Gaynor and Bertrand Galen (strings), Joseph Doyle (bass), and new arrival, Piero Perelli (drums and percussion).
“In any situation of letting go, moving on is clearly the right and natural thing to do,” attests Hansard, recounting his take on today’s release. “This song speaks to that part of us that can’t quite get there. The moment just before complete acceptance.”
“Stuck in Reverse” is the latest arrival, coming after the band’s initial wink at what’s to come with the late March arrival of “People We Used to Be,” and its visual equalizer, directed by Radim Vanous and produced by Little Greta, in collaboration with the band.
Speaking to the entirety of the record, and its intent, Irglová says: “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.”
“We remained good friends, helping on each other’s records, keeping up with each other’s families. While touring my last record, I realized I just missed her. I remember calling Marketa and saying, ‘Do you feel like doing some gigs?’ She said, ‘Yeah, that sounds great,’ and the shows went really well. Once we were hanging out again, new songs started coming through, and we started trying new ideas and playing the songs onstage,” Hansard says.
He continues, “From there, the idea was to do a little recording and not put any pressure on it, just see what happens, and suddenly we found ourselves making a record. And we were both totally into it, and so here we are, a new chapter of our lives.”
Watch the official music video for “Stuck in Reverse” below. Pre-order Forward.
Don’t miss The Swell Season on tour. For tickets and more information, visit theswellseason.com.
Content shared from relix.com.