Swans - Birthing [2CD]

Format: 2CD 
Catalogue No.: CDSTUMM516
Barcode: 5400863182229
Release Date: 05 Dec 2025
Genre: Rock

 Swans return with a double CD edition of ‘Birthing’, the latest album, developed over the course of a yearlong 2023-2024 tour.
 Refined through relentless improvisation and live performance, as well as newly composed studio pieces, ‘Birthing’ is a testament to Michael Gira’s uncompromising sonic vision. Beginning as skeletal acoustic compositions, the songs were gradually expanded and transformed in the studio with longtime live members and collaborators.
 “This album, coupled with the recent live release, ‘Live Rope’, constitutes my final foray (as producer / impresario) into the allconsuming sound worlds that have been my obsession for years. We’ll do a final tour in this mode towards the end of 2025, then that’s it. After that, Swans will continue, so long as I’m able, but in a significantly pared down form. Hints of that direction can be found in a few moments on the current album. In the meantime, my hope is that the music provides a positive and fertile atmosphere in which to dream.” – Michael Gira / Swans
 Produced by Gira, ‘Birthing’ was recorded at Soundfabrik Berlin, mixed at Candy Bomber Studio by Ingo Krauss and mastered by Doug Henderson at Micro-Moose.  Double CD packaged in brown chipboard digipak.
 “Every track is an extended trip, alternating shimmering, sibilant and stentorian passages” - Uncut (8/10)
 “The last of its kind before the band move to a more pared-back sound. They’re certainly going out with a bang, or should that be a drone?” - The Guardian
 “A monolithic, crushing behemoth of a farewell disc” - Louder Than War (Album Of The Week)
 “‘Birthing’ feels, in a romantic way, like both an ending and a beginning. An exceptional album from an exceptional collective, led by one of the most powerful songwriters of the past 40 years.” - Music OMH (Album Of The Week)

Tracklisting
CD1
The Healers
I Am a Tower
Birthing
CD2
Red Yellow
Guardian Spirit
The Merge
Rope
Away