Swans - Michael is Done

Swans new album, The Beggar, released worldwide June 23, 2023 on Young God Records/Mute. Formats include 2X LP, 2CD, as well as download and stream.

“After numerous pandemic-induced cancellations of tours for the previous Swans album leaving meaning, and an apparent bottomless pit of waiting, waiting, waiting, and the strange disorientation that came with this sudden but interminable forced isolation I decided it was time to write songs for a new Swans album and forget about everything else. They came relatively easily, always informed by the suspicion that these could be my last. When I finally was able to travel, songs in hand, to Berlin to work with my friends recording this record, the feeling was akin to the moment in The Wizard of Oz when the film changes from Black and White to Color. Now I’m feeling quite optimistic. My favourite color is pink. I hope you enjoy the album!” – Michael Gira

[trash_bender]

One of my favorites from the album. The middle section sounds like freedom, acceptance and pure joy in sound form. This whole album is just beautiful

[alonsomartinez]

This song saved me this week. A terrible week. My entire life... thank you Swans... this song means a lot to me... gave me hope and refuge.

[TheMoonFairy]

Now Michael is done
Stripped bare of pretense soaking his sheets
While counting insects
He's a grid on the sun
He's the hate in the love
Every hole is a leak when Michael does speak
But Michael will win
There's a flame on his tongue
His words are burnt meat to muscle and rend
Now Michael will cloak
Every raft in his moat to speak is to choke
To leave is to come when the other has come
Then Michael is done is done, is done
While cracking his lens
He is breaking his hands
Growing wings from his back
Michael sinks in his sack
When Michael is gone some other will come
When the other has come then Michael is done
Is done, is done

[aleksandarfrick]

Made my day ...i feel so proud because i saw SWANS in Belgrade .

[cactus-mcjacktus]

hypnotic, angelic yet still eerie, love it!

[vomeinsamenmadchensophie]

Sonnet 104: To me, fair friend, you never can be old

BY WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

To me, fair friend, you never can be old,

For as you were when first your eye I eyed,

Such seems your beauty still. Three winters cold

Have from the forests shook three summers’ pride,

Three beauteous springs to yellow autumn turned

In process of the seasons have I seen,

Three April perfumes in three hot Junes burned,

Since first I saw you fresh, which yet are green.

Ah, yet doth beauty, like a dial-hand,

Steal from his figure, and no pace perceived;

So your sweet hue, which methinks still doth stand,

Hath motion, and mine eye may be deceived:

For fear of which, hear this, thou age unbred:

Ere you were born was beauty’s summer dead.

[vomeinsamenmadchensophie]

Dear Michael 🖤🎩, you always tear up my heart into peaces... amazing song and one more of my very favourites.... like Angeles of Light...and NO, Michael is NOT done, cause of the fire of truth on his tongue.... much love from your sister of these lyrics...🙏🖤🖤🖤🎩

[javieraranguiz]

Simplemente asombrosa! (Simply astonishing!) Congratulations for this art-piece! Waiting you in Chile.

[daver]

Ahhhh, the grandeur of early 90s SWANS.

[aftabadeel]

this is one of the best pieces of music my ears have ever listened to

[gedasbartusevicius]

Thank You very much! Your music and Your lyrics still leads me. I hope, It's not done. Best Regards

[saurabh-levin]

Lovely, reminds me a bit of Song for the Sun

[fabiolevik]

Que bonita. Te eriza la piel, recuerda a esos sonidos de iluminación, libertad y luz White Light, LOVE Of Life..Ummm New máster Piece

[JonathanNelsonOfficial]

Reminds me a lot of Bowie's V-2 Schneider. What a gorgeous song this is.

[propoytsa]

Самая светлая песня на альбоме, да и пожалуй во всем творчестве

[tangibleblockofwisdom]

One of the most acute, honed and genuine evolutionary clutch of fucks I have ever heard. They have the same quality as coil, in both bands create what feels more accurately described as an invocation or otherworldly purgative than music

[NikkiDocherty]

I love Swans.
Wonderful.

What is Michael done with?

[hamidrezamoasyyebi]

"When Michael is gone some other will come.
When the other has come then Michael is done."
You know very well that you are done.
But you don't know that your music is perfect.
So, I suggest you not to wait for someone else to continue your path. This path is over. You have reached the end.
Now, what you should do, is to teach others (specially children) to make music like yourself.
Treat those children as you treated other members of your Swans.
But this time, be silent and let the children talk.
You just guide them.