What makes This Wild Willing by Glen Hansard notable?

The album received positive reviews from critics, including features in publications like Rolling Stone and NPR, highlighting its lyrical depth and musicality. It demonstrated Hansard's continued evolution as an artist and resonated with fans, maintaining solid streaming numbers and chart placements within the Irish music scene. This Wild Willing is Glen Hansard's third solo album, following the critically acclaimed Between Two Shores in 2018. At this point in his career, Hansard was solidifying his reputation as a solo artist after gaining fame with The Frames and the Academy Award-winning Once soundtrack. The album reflects a deepening artistic maturity and exploration of personal themes.

Who is This Wild Willing for?

This Wild Willing works well if you're into heartfelt melodies for reflection, introspective lyrics for solitude and patient storytelling with emotional depth.

How many songs are on This Wild Willing?

This Wild Willing has 12 tracks, running approximately 64 minutes.

This Wild Willing

Glen Hansard · 2019

64 min · 12 tracks · indie pop

A tapestry of introspective melodies intertwined with rich storytelling and emotive vocal performances.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Don’t Settle — This track encapsulates the album's theme of perseverance against life’s challenges, showcasing Hansard's impassioned vocal delivery and poignant lyrics.
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Weight of the World — With its sweeping orchestral arrangements, this song addresses existential struggles while highlighting Hansard's ability to blend personal narrative with universal themes.
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Brother’s Keeper — This song stands out for its intimate portrayal of relationships, featuring a delicate balance of vulnerability and strength that resonates deeply throughout the album.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

59 /100

Treeline

Higher than 57% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong songwriting and production but remains within familiar indie pop territory.

What we noticed

The first half of the album features a consistent mid-tempo pace, while the second half introduces more varied tempos and dynamics.
Several tracks incorporate layered instrumentation, with strings and piano complementing Hansard's vocal lines to create a rich soundscape.
The lyrics often employ storytelling techniques, with recurring themes of introspection and personal reflection that connect across multiple tracks.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 2/10

Little footprint beyond its audience. 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

heartfelt melodies for reflection
introspective lyrics for solitude
patient storytelling with emotional depth
evening wind-down listening experience
cathartic moments of release

Maybe skip if you

seeking fast-paced excitement
prefer short standalone tracks

Where this album fits

Career context: This Wild Willing is Glen Hansard's third solo album, following the critically acclaimed Between Two Shores in 2018. At this point in his career, Hansard was solidifying his reputation as a solo artist after gaining fame with The Frames and the Academy Award-winning Once soundtrack. The album reflects a deepening artistic maturity and exploration of personal themes.
Stylistic neighbors: Damien Rice· Iron & Wine· Sufjan Stevens