Leaving Meaning.

by Swans

Leaving Meaning. cover art
  • Type: Album
  • Released: 25 October 2019
  • Label: Young God, Mute
  • Country: United States
  • Length: 1:33:10
  • Community rating: 4.02/5 from 22 ratings

Artists on this release: Michael Gira, Kristof Hahn, Yoyo Röhm, Larry Mullins

Album Notes & Community Reviews

Marking a departure from the stable lineup of its 2010s predecessors, 'Leaving Meaning.' reimagines Swans as a project centered on Michael Gira and a revolving cast of collaborators. The album shifts from overwhelming volume to a more spacious and atmospheric sound, layering hypnotic, groove-oriented arrangements with drone, folk, and chamber music textures. Gira's songwriting explores metaphysical themes of existence and transcendence, delivered in a rich baritone amidst a wide instrumental palette that includes strings, piano, and lap steel, creating a sound that is at once intimate and immense.

Genres

Descriptors: crescendo, repetitive, droning, expansive, ritualistic

Tracklist

  1. Hums (02:00)
  2. Annaline (05:17)
  3. The Hanging Man (10:48)
  4. Amnesia (05:49)
  5. Leaving Meaning (11:21)
  6. Sunfucker (10:43)
  7. Cathedrals of Heaven (07:49)
  8. The Nub (12:01)
  9. It's Coming It's Real (07:42)
  10. Some New Things (07:09)
  11. What is This? (06:05)
  12. My Phantom Limb (06:26)

Credits

  • Michael Gira - vocals, acoustic guitar and electric guitar, production, art design
  • Kristof Hahn - lap steel guitar, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, backing vocals
  • Larry Mullins - drums, percussion, vibes, mellotron, keyboards, synth, backing vocals
  • Yoyo Röhm - electric bass guitar, double bass, keyboards, piano, synth, backing vocals
  • Thor Harris - percussion, trumpet, clarinet, sounds, bells, gizmos, additional vibes
  • Christopher Pravdica - bass guitar, sounds
  • Phil Puleo - hammered dulcimer, art layout and execution
  • Norman Westberg - electric guitar
  • Paul Wallfisch - piano
  • Chris Abrahams - piano, organ
  • Tony Buck - drums, percussion
  • Lloyd Swanton - double bass
  • Baby Dee - lead vocal
  • Fay Christen - backing vocals
  • Ida Albertje Michels - backing vocals
  • Cassis Staudt - accordion, harmonium
  • Anna von Hausswolff - choral/backing vocals
  • Maria von Hausswolff - choral/backing vocals
  • Ben Frost - guitar, synths, sound manipulations, engineer
  • Jennifer Gira - various backing vocals, cameo vocal
  • Jeremy Barnes - santur, hi-hat, fiddlesticks, accordion, engineering
  • Heather Trost - stroh violin, violin, viola, fiddlesticks, engineering
  • Dana Schechter - bass, sounds
  • Mika Bajinksi - additional backing vocals
  • Marie-Claire Schlameus - additional backing vocals
  • Swan Gira - laughter
  • Saoirse Gira - laughter
  • Tatiana Hahn - host
  • Ingo Krauss - engineer, mixing
  • Jason LaFarge - engineer
  • Francesco Fabris - assistant engineer
  • Sander Stuer - assistant engineer
  • Doug Henderson - mastering
  • Paul A. Taylor - art layout and execution

More from Swans: full discography