Birthing (album)
| Birthing | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | May 30, 2025 | |||
| Recorded | 2023–2024 | |||
| Length | 115:35 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Producer | Michael Gira | |||
| Swans chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Birthing | ||||
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Birthing is the seventeenth studio album by the American experimental rock band Swans. It was released on May 30, 2025, through Mute and Young God Records. Frontman Michael Gira stated that the album was the last to focus on "all-consuming sound worlds", with future albums taking on a "significantly pared down form".[1] The first single from Birthing, "I Am a Tower", was released on February 25, 2025.
Background
Michael Gira, the frontman for Swans, stated that the material within Birthing was developed and recorded across a yearlong tour.[2] The songs were then further orchestrated and rearranged in the studio.[3] Gira also stated that it would be the last "big sound" Swans album, with future releases from the band being "significantly pared down" and that it would mark his last album as the main producer of Swans.[4] One last tour with the band's old sound is planned to take place near the end of 2025.[5]
Release
The first single from Birthing, "I Am a Tower" was released on February 25, 2025.[6] Commenting for Beats Per Minute's "BPM Curates: February 2025", John Amen wrote, "the track is a study in opposites and functions as a sonic diptych ... [Gira's] voice and the driving music conjuring a sublime blend of humility and braggadocio, embodiment and transcendence, megalomania and self-erasure".[7] Birthing was released on May 30, 2025, on 2xCD and 3xLP through Mute and Young God Records.[1] Initial pressings of the album came with a concert film of the band, (Rope) The Beggar, as well as a documentary focused on Gira's 2022 solo tour, I Wonder If I'm Singing What You're Thinking Me To Sing.[1]
Critical reception
| Aggregate scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AnyDecentMusic? | 8.2/10[8] |
| Metacritic | 87/100[9] |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic | [10] |
| Beats Per Minute | 85%[11] |
| God Is in the TV | 8/10[12] |
| Louder Than War | [13] |
| MusicOMH | [14] |
| PopMatters | 8/10[15] |
| Slant Magazine | [16] |
| Sputnikmusic | 4.2/5[17] |
| Uncut | 8/10[18] |
According to the review aggregator Metacritic, Birthing received "universal acclaim" based on a weighted average score of 87 out of 100 from 7 critic scores.[9]
Track listing
All tracks are written by Michael Gira.
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "The Healers" | 21:41 |
| 2. | "I Am a Tower" | 19:17 |
| 3. | "Birthing" | 22:20 |
| 4. | "Red Yellow" | 6:51 |
| 5. | "Guardian Spirit" | 10:57 |
| 6. | "The Merge" | 15:19 |
| 7. | "(Rope) Away" | 19:10 |
| Total length: | 115:35 | |
Physical versions of the album split "(Rope) Away" into two separate tracks: "Rope" (14:50) and "Away" (4:20).
Personnel
Credits adapted from Birthing liner notes.[19]
Swans
- Michael Gira – vocals, acoustic guitar, producer, art direction, design
- Phil Puleo – drums, hammered dulcimer, flute, melodica, percussion, layout
- Kristof Hahn – lap steel guitar, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, loops, backing vocals
- Dana Schechter – lap steel guitar, bass guitar, loops
- Christopher Pravdica – bass guitar, Taishōgoto, loops, sound effects, keyboards
- Larry Mullins – Mellotron, keyboards, piano, synthesizer, drums, vibraphone, percussion, backing vocals
- Norman Westberg – electric guitar, loops
Guest musicians
- Jennifer Gira – guest, backing vocals
- Laura Carbone – guest, backing vocals
- Lucy Kruger – guest, backing vocals
- Andreas Dormann – guest, soprano saxophone
- Little Mikey – guest, backing vocals
- Timothy Wyskida – drums on "The Merge"
Engineers
Charts
| Chart (2025) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[20] | 140 |
| Croatian International Albums (HDU)[21] | 10 |
| French Rock & Metal Albums (SNEP)[22] | 26 |
| German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[23] | 25 |
| Scottish Albums (OCC)[24] | 12 |
| UK Album Downloads (OCC)[25] | 48 |
| UK Albums Sales (OCC)[26] | 12 |
| UK Independent Albums (OCC)[27] | 5 |
References
- ^ a b c Skinner, Tom (February 26, 2025). "Swans announce new album Birthing with sprawling 19-minute single 'I Am A Tower'". NME. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
- ^ "Swans Announce 17th Studio Album Birthing". Blabbermouth. February 25, 2025. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
- ^ Ragusa, Paolo (February 25, 2025). "Swans announce new album Birthing, share sprawling new song "I Am a Tower"". Consequence. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
- ^ Huot, Charlotte (February 25, 2025). "Swans Shares New Single "I Am a Tower" and Announces 17th Album Birthing For May 2025 Release". MXDWN. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
- ^ "Swans drop 17th studio album Birthing via Mute / Young God". Side Line. February 25, 2025. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
- ^ "Swans announce new album Birthing and share single "I Am a Tower"". LambGoat. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
- ^ Hakimian, Rob; Forstneger, Steve; Pickard, Joshua; Kohner, Kyle; Wohlmacher, John; McClain, Larry; Amen, John; McMullen, Chase; Thomas, Carlo (March 3, 2025). "BPM Curates: February 2025". Beats Per Minute. Retrieved March 12, 2025.
- ^ "Birthing by Swans reviews". AnyDecentMusic?. Retrieved June 13, 2025.
- ^ a b "Birthing by Swans Reviews and Tracks". Metacritic. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
- ^ Simpson, Paul. "Swans – Birthing Album Reviews, Songs & More". AllMusic. Retrieved June 11, 2025.
- ^ Amen, John (June 3, 2025). "Album Review: Swans – Birthing". Beats Per Minute. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
- ^ Fordham, Humphrey (June 4, 2025). "Swans – Birthing (Mute) - God Is In The TV". God Is in the TV. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
- ^ Millard, Sean. "Swans: Birthing – Review – ALBUM OF THE WEEK!". Louder Than War. Retrieved June 4, 2025.
- ^ Horton, Ross (June 5, 2025). "Swans - Birthing | Album Of The Week, Album Reviews". musicOMH. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
- ^ McEver, Matthew (June 11, 2025). "Swans' 'Birthing' Wants and Demands Transformation". PopMatters. Retrieved June 30, 2023.
- ^ Attard, Paul. "Swans 'Birthing' Review: A Ritualistic Endurance Test That Demands Your Attention". Slant. Retrieved May 30, 2025.
- ^ "Review: Swans – Birthing". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
- ^ "Uncut UK July 2025". Uncut: 36. July 2025.
- ^ Gira, Michael (2025). (Vinyl liner notes). Young God Records. p. 1. YG68.
- ^ "Ultratop.be – Swans – Birthing" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
- ^ "Lista prodaje (strano) 25. tjedan 2025. (16.06.2025. – 22.06.2025.)". Top lista (in Croatian). June 30, 2025. Retrieved July 1, 2025.
- ^ "Top 100 Rock & Metal Albums du semaine 23, 2025" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Edition Phonographique. Retrieved June 9, 2025.
- ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Swans – Birthing" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved June 6, 2025.
- ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
- ^ "Official Album Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
- ^ "Official Albums Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
- ^ "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 7, 2025.