The Swell Season – Strict Joy (CD)

The Swell Season's "Strict Joy" finds Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová expanding well beyond their Once-era beginnings, weaving aching folk balladry with richer, fuller-band arrangements on standouts like "Low Rising" and "In These Arms." A bittersweet, beautifully crafted follow-up that captures the duo's chemistry at its most mature, an essential pick for fans of heartfelt, literate songwriting.