All That Was East Is West of Me Now

Released in 2023, 'All That Was East Is West of Me Now' represents a significant sonic hardening in Glen Hansard's solo catalog. Following a period of collaborative work and the quietude of the pandemic, Hansard returned with a collection that prioritizes a 'live-in-the-room' energy. The album was largely developed through a series of residency shows at a small pub in Dublin, where Hansard tested new material in front of a live audience before heading into the studio with David Odlum. This process resulted in a record that feels more spontaneous and rock-oriented than his previous chamber-folk efforts. Critics noted the influence of Leonard Cohen's later gravity and the sprawling, improvisational spirit of Van Morrison. The title itself suggests a pivot in perspective, reflecting on the passage of time and the shifting horizons of a veteran artist. It stands as one of his most cohesive and sonically adventurous works to date.