Otherwise known as Glen Hansard solo album? Gimme.
“You Will Become.” This is a slightly unnerving song full of declarative statements and stuff, and it’s lovely, and wow, it’s chilling. And there’s some nice Markéta Irglová action hiding in there, what with harmonies. Mmm. “Your honesty is nothing compared to what you will become.” Yes, all right.
“Maybe Not Tonight.” I really do love this man’s voice. It’s kind of like drinking hot cocoa that has just a dash of liquor in it: it’s warm, it’s exciting, it’s comforting. This song is sweet and mellow and lovely, and I’m sure I can find a use for it in the future. I mean, really. Multiple different triggers to choose from here. I don’t even know if you could call this bittersweet; there’s a bit of that, but it’s not entirely. Wistful, maybe.
“Talking With the Wolves.” Ooh, yes, hello, this has a tiny hint of severely modern instrumentation. And yet more lyrics that I find fascinating for many reasons. I think my initial “oh, I read the title” purpose may still suit, hm. This sort of album reviewing really does disintegrate into preplanning out mix albums, but I can’t help doing that. I’m comfortable listening to music for triggers, and that’s a valid way of enjoying it, so there. “Love that’s given freely, it doesn’t die, it only changes. And love that’s taken easy, it has to hide in these exchanges.” Oh, surprise guitar, yes all right.
“High Hope.” This man does many lovely things with guitars and with his voice, and I love his sustained notes with a passion not afforded a lot of male vocalists. This song is definitely more in the bittersweet category, but I like bittersweet things. Also, my very favorite Glen Hansard technique: absolutely just tearing into it all nice-growly-like.
“Bird of Sorrow.” Hello there. Oh, this is also with the melancholy-but-nice, both tonally and lyrically. Also, putting birds on it. And feelings. And being more than five minutes long.
“The Storm, It’s Coming.” …whoops, Glen Hansard, why are you doing this with these perfect lyrics, really. The perfect lyrics and then the slow mournfulness and the occasional growly-ness, just — I mean, don’t stop because it is wonderful, but I don’t even know what to do.
“Love Don’t Leave Me Waiting.” Now this isn’t mournful. I mean, it’s not a happy song, none of these have been and I’m comfortable with that, but it’s not melancholy. This is more on the assertive statements and requests front, oh, and there’s time erasing. While there is a hint of bittersweet still, I’m going for assertive as being the descriptor I choose here. Why is it that some people’s la la la la-ing frustrates me and some people’s makes me giddy? His is in the giddy category, yes.
“What Are We Gonna Do.” Honestly, this album is just making me want to wallow in feelings.
“Races.” Oh, for a second I thought this was going to be a happier song, and then “’cause I never left you and you never let me go” and things of that nature. Stop it. Now I just want to mix myself a Winter is Coming and crawl back into bed and sniffle in my heart or something.
“Philander.” So far, this may actually be the least sad of the songs. Which is sad of itself, considering it includes the lyrics “up here on this platter,” but hey. Love is a wacky thing that I’m trying to learn not to judge too harshly because I know nothing about it whatsoever.
“Song of Good Hope.” Stop stop stop but don’t, wow, Glen Hansard. You are pulling out all the stops to make me feel triggery feelings. No, this one is happier, because it actually has that hope stuff threaded throughout. It’s still with the wistful, but hey.
“Come Away to the Water.” Okay, instrumentation of folksy glory. You are on the Hunger Games soundtrack so I know you already, but you are beautiful and lovely, because really that soundtrack > the actual words that people say in that film, and also this is just pretty.
“This Gift.” Mm, hello, yes. Piano and also not-painful falsetto and also harmonies of pretty and also nice growling and also full chorus. I’m completely all right with this.
“Rare Bird.” Damn it Glen Hansard, damn it all. More birds on it, and definitely in that way. This is wistful x100 and I love that, don’t get me wrong. Wow, you thoughtful man writing thoughtful music, I love you thank you for being.
–your fangirl heroine.
