Birthing

Swans, the avant-garde pioneers known for their genre-defying sound, are set to release their seventeenth studio album, "Birthing," on May 30, 2025, via Mute and Young God Records. This sprawling double album, packaged in a deluxe brown chipboard digi-pak for CD or sleeve for vinyl, comes with a bonus DVD featuring a live concert film, offering fans an immersive experience beyond just the music.

"Birthing" is the culmination of a yearlong tour that Swans embarked on from 2023 to 2024, with the album's development deeply influenced by the live performances and the band's evolution during this period. The album spans an impressive 115 minutes, featuring seven tracks that blend Swans' signature noise rock and post-rock elements with neofolk, industrial rock, experimental, post-punk, art rock, and drone influences.

The album opens with "The Healers" and includes the sprawling 19-minute single "I Am a Tower," hinting at a new direction for Swans. As frontman Michael Gira has previously mentioned, "Birthing" sees the band in a "significantly pared down form," offering a raw and intimate listening experience. The album's title track, "Birthing," along with tracks like "Red Yellow," "Guardian Spirit," "The Merge," and the enigmatic "(Rope) Away," showcase Swans' ability to push musical boundaries and defy expectations.

With "Birthing," Swans continue to solidify their status as innovators in the experimental music scene. The album is a testament to the band's enduring creativity and their ability to evolve while staying true to their unique sound. Fans of Swans' previous work and newcomers alike will find "Birthing" to be a captivating and thought-provoking addition to their discography.