Culture
29 Jun 22

Markéta Irglová announces first album in eight years with 'My Roots Go Deep'

The Czech-Icelandic singer will drop LILA, an album full of self love and discovery, in August 2022.

Czech-Icelandic singer-songwriter, musician and actress, Markéta Irglová, has announced her first album in over eight years. LILA will arrive in August 2022, with the stellar first single 'My Roots Go Deep' released today.

The musician, most popularly known for her Academy Award winning role in ONCE, is stepping back into the music scene with her confessional upcoming album.

Her time away from releasing music was anything but quiet - during the eight years Irglová got married, had three children, and built a studio all while working on music near constantly in the intermitting years. LILA will offer an insight into Irglová’s journey and how she has managed to find balance in her career as an artist, wife and mother, while embracing this whole new paradox of love.

Speaking about the meaning behind her upcoming release, Irglová says: "Simply sitting with things I can't change, rather than trying to solve them or run away from them, has brought me into a deeper place in my heart and I am grateful for that."

According to a press release, the new track, 'My Roots Go Deep', "looks back on her early and wandering days, leaving them behind as she makes her case for "letting down my roots" while "getting good at being still" prepared to "weather any storm."

The beautifully written and performed track is reminiscent of Dido with elements of Tori Amos and Sarah McLachlan. The self-love anthem was a highlight on Irglová's recent 15th Anniversary ONCE tour with Glen Hansard, receiving a standing ovation every night.

The video accompanying 'My Roots Go Deep' was shot by Icelandic cinematographer Anton Smari Gunnarsson, and captured at Irglová's studio serving as a "summary of the growth and maturation" that has taken place within Markéta in the past few years. The artist notes how "we can practice holding peace in any circumstance. Growing roots and becoming our own centre, attracting all that is in our highest good to come to us."

LILA came to life in Iceland with Irglová's partner/producer Sturla Mio Thorisson. Recorded at the couple’s studio Masterkey, LILA will showcase Irglová’s exceptional piano and arrangement skills, which are well known from her most famous song 'Falling Slowly'.

The singer-songwriter is joined by Finland-born, Ireland-based string player, Marja Gaynor; Czech guitarist Peter Moc and Venezulan percussionist Manuel Barreto throughout her nine track musical diary.

LILA is named from an Indian word that is "often used in moments of serendipity where a higher power has interfered in a playful and well-meaning way." Irglová claims that being open to these invisible forces has helped her navigate her art and life.

Watch the video for 'My Roots Go Deep' below.