The Beggar (album)
The Beggar is the upcoming sixteenth studio album by American experimental rock band Swans. It is set to release on June 23, 2023, through Young God Records.[1][2] The announcement of the album coincided with the release of its lead single, "Paradise Is Mine", as well as the announcement of a North American tour.[3][4][5] The Beggar was preceded and funded by the acoustic demo album Is There Really a Mind? (2022).[6]
| The Beggar | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
_cover.jpg.webp) Digital artwork | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | June 23, 2023 | |||
| Recorded | May 2022–August 2022 | |||
| Studio | Candy Bomber Studio in Berlin, Germany | |||
| Length | 121:37 | |||
| Label | Young God Records | |||
| Producer | Michael Gira | |||
| Swans chronology | ||||
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| Singles from The Beggar | ||||
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Background
Acoustic renditions of many of the album's then-unfinished tracks, primarily recorded by band leader Michael Gira alone at his home studio, appeared on the demo album Is There Really a Mind? which was released in February 2022.[6] Material for the album was subsequently fleshed out and expanded through recording sessions that began at the Candy Bomber Studio in Berlin on May 2, 2022, and were then finalized that August.[7][8]
"The Beggar Lover (Three)", said to be around 43 minutes in length, will be the longest song Swans ever recorded to date, excluding the 45 minute piece "the Knot" which was never recorded for a studio album.
Track listing
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "The Parasite" | 8:21 |
| 2. | "Paradise Is Mine" | 9:23 |
| 3. | "Los Angeles: City of Death" | 3:29 |
| 4. | "Michael Is Done" | 6:08 |
| 5. | "Unforming" | 5:55 |
| 6. | "The Beggar" | 10:15 |
| 7. | "No More of This" | 6:55 |
| 8. | "Ebbing" | 11:04 |
| 9. | "Why Can't I Have What I Want Any Time That I Want?" | 7:38 |
| Total length: | 69:08 | |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 10. | "The Beggar Lover (Three)" | 43:51 |
| 11. | "The Memorious" | 8:38 |
| Total length: | 52:29 | |
Notes
- "The Beggar Lover (Three)" is excluded from the vinyl release, save for in the form of a digital download card.[2]
Personnel
Credits adapted from The Beggar digital liner notes and press release.[9][2]
Swans
- Michael Gira – vocals, words, acoustic guitar, production
- Kristof Hahn – lap steel guitar, various guitars, vocals
- Larry Mullins – drums, orchestral percussion, Mellotron, vibes, keyboards, backing vocals
- Dana Schechter – bass guitar, lap steel, keyboards, vocals, piano
- Christopher Pravdica – bass guitar, sounds, keyboards, vocals
- Phil Puleo – drums, percussion, vocals, piano, exotic wind instruments
Other musicians
- Ben Frost – guitar, synthesizers, sound manipulations
- Jennifer Gira – backing vocals
- Lucy Kruger – backing vocals
- Laura Carbone – backing vocals
Additional personnel
- Ingo Krauss – engineering
- Doug Henderson – mastering
- Nicole Boitos – artwork
References
- Taysom, Joe (22 March 2023). "Swans Announce Details of New Album "The Beggar"". Far Out. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
- "The Beggar (Pre-Order)". Young God Records. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
- Fu, Eddie (22 March 2023). "Swans Announce New Album The Beggar, 2023 Tour Dates". Consequence. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
- Pappis, Konstantinos (22 March 2023). "Swans Announce New Album 'The Beggar', Release New Song 'Paradise Is Mine'". ourculture. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
- H., Rob (22 March 2023). "Swans Announce New Album and Share Epic Lead Single "Paradise Is Mine"". Beats Per Minute. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
- Kenneally, Cerys. "Swans Launch Fundraiser for 2023 Album with Acoustic Versions of Songs". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved March 23, 2023.
- "Swans on Instagram: "Swans begin recording today."". Instagram. Retrieved 2023-03-23.
- "Swans on Instagram: "Finished mixing the new Swans album. Leaving Kristof's house and Berlin and Johnny says goodbye."". Instagram. Retrieved 2023-03-23.
- "The Beggar". Bandcamp. Retrieved March 22, 2023.