Swans have been a musical part of the Rock and Roll landscape for many decades. From their inception in the early 80s through to their current incarnation, Swans have remained musically viable, a feat that eludes many bands that have been around as long as Swans have. Fronted by longtime mainstay, Michael Gira, this iteration of Swans is primarily a work that is envisioned by Gira and a solid cast of collaborators that contribute to the beauty and awe of anything music they apply themselves to.
On June 17, Swans will release a new album. It will be called The Glowing Man and will contain eight songs. What’s amazing abot this upcoming release is that one of the tracks, “The World Looks Red / The World Looks Black” is a formation from lyrics penned back in 1982, and subsequently used by Sonic Youth on their “The World Looks Red” tune. One song, “When Will I Return?” was written exclusively for Jennifer Gira to sing. And “Finally, Peace” was written as a farewell of sorts. The remaining tracks have their deep reasons for being as well.
The Glowing Man will be released as a 2CD set by Mute (UK), and Young God (US). It will also be issued on a 3LP vinyl LP gatefold that will contain a new poster as well as DD rights. Additionally, the new (last?) album will be celebrated with a 2CD/1DVD Deluxe Edition that will offer a 2015 live performance as a bonus.
The embedded YouTube audio (below) doesn’t provide a lot. But it does reveal that the power and scope of Swans music is as incredible as ever.
Swans will undergo a large scale tour with 63 dates planned beginning in July and ending in November. The tour will encapsulate the US and Europe.
The Glowing Man – Swans
01. Cloud of Forgetting
02. Cloud of Unknowing
03. The World Looks Red / The World Looks Black
04. People Like Us
05. Frankie M.
06. When Will I Return?
07. The Glowing Man
08. Finally, Peace.