IN REVIEW: Swans - "The Glowing Man"

Swans' 14th record (and last to feature the current lineup) closes out a trilogy of epics that began with The Seer in 2012. The Glowing Man is certainly the least manic of the three, but its subdued nature in comparison to what preceded it doesn't necessarily make it less impressive an experience. It's on this record that the band really stretches out and, while the same sense of urgency that filled every second of To Be Kind (my 2014 Album of the Year) isn't, well, quite as urgent, this makes for a more intimate and immersive affair. Like the last two records, though, The Glowing Man requires patience and proper mindset. Its eight songs fly by in just under two hours (including three songs that break the twenty minute barrier), and yet it's a thoroughly engaging listen if you feel like getting lost in its tapestry of droning grooves and dizzying artistry. The Glowing Man wraps up this era of Swans nicely, providing a satisfying conclusion to perhaps the most engaging and rewarding six hours of music we're getting this decade.

June 17, 2016 • Young God/Mute
Highlights Cloud of Unknowing • When Will I Return • The Glowing Man