Released 17 years ago this October
Strict Joy
The Swell Season · 2009
49 min · 12 tracks · indie folk
Intimate melodies entwine with rich harmonies, creating a tapestry of longing and connection that defines the duo's folk sensibilities.
Top tracks — play these first
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Low Rising — The opening track establishes the album's tone with its haunting melody and introspective lyrics, setting the stage for the themes of longing explored throughout.
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I Have Loved You Wrong — This track encapsulates the album's emotional core, featuring poignant reflections on regret and forgiveness that resonate deeply with listeners.
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Fantasy Man — With its dynamic arrangement and vivid imagery, this song showcases the duo's storytelling prowess, illustrating the complexities of desire and imagination.
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Love That Conquers — The closing track beautifully ties together the album's themes of resilience and devotion, leaving listeners with a sense of hope despite earlier struggles.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album features strong songwriting and craftsmanship but lacks the depth for repeated exploration.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks build gradually in intensity, with layered instrumentation that peaks before the fourth track introduces a more subdued arrangement.
- Vocal harmonies are often interwoven, with Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová alternating lines rather than verses, creating a conversational dynamic.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- intimate moments of heartfelt connection
- gentle melodies for reflective afternoons
- short tracks with emotional depth
- cathartic expressions of love and
Maybe skip if you
- prefer upbeat, fast-paced music
- want heavy production and effects
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2009, Strict Joy marked The Swell Season's second studio album, following their acclaimed debut, Once, which had brought them international recognition. This album came at a time when both Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová were navigating newfound fame while trying to maintain their artistic integrity amidst commercial pressures.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Iron & Wine· The Civil Wars· Sufjan Stevens
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Low Rising 4:47
- 2 Feeling the Pull 2:20
- 3 In These Arms 3:33
- 4 The Rain 3:40
- 5 Fantasy Man 5:06
- 6 Paper Cup 3:21
- 7 High Horses 4:59
- 8 The Verb 4:31
- 9 I Have Loved You Wrong 5:04
- 10 Love That Conquers 3:56
- 11 Two Tongues 3:45
- 12 Back Broke 4:02
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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