Birthing (album)

Birthing
Studio album by Swans
Released	May 30, 2025 (2025-05-30)
Recorded	2023–2024
Length	115:35
Language	English
Label	Mute Young God
Producer	Michael Gira
Swans chronology
Live Rope (2024) Birthing (2025)
Singles from Birthing
"I Am a Tower" Released: February 25, 2025

Birthing is the upcoming seventeenth studio album by the American experimental rock band Swans. It is set to be released on May 30, 2025, through Mute and Young God Records. Frontman Michael Gira stated that the album was the last to focus on "all-consuming sound worlds", with future albums taking on a "significantly pared down form". ^[1] The first single from Birthing, "I Am a Tower", was released on February 25, 2025.

Background

Michael Gira, the frontman for Swans, stated that the material within Birthing was developed and recorded across a yearlong tour. ^[2] The songs were then further orchestrated and rearranged in the studio. ^[3] Gira also stated that it would be the last "big sound" Swans album, with future releases from the band being "significantly pared down". ^[4] One last tour with the band's old sound is planned to take place near the end of 2025. ^[5]

Release

The first single from Birthing, "I Am a Tower" was released on February 25, 2025. ^[6] Birthing is anticipated to release on May 30, 2025, on 2xCD and 3xLP through Mute and Young God Records. ^[1] Initial pressings of the album come with a concert film of the band, Swans Live 2024 (Rope) The Beggar, as well as a documentary focused on Gira's 2022 solo tour, I Wonder If I'm Singing What You're Thinking Me To Sing. ^[1]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Michael Gira

Birthing track listing

No.	Title	Length
1.	"The Healers"	21:41
2.	"I Am a Tower"	19:17
3.	"Birthing"	22:20
4.	"Red Yellow"	6:51
5.	"Guardian Spirit"	10:57
6.	"The Merge"	15:19
7.	"Rope"	19:10
8.	"Away"
Total length:		115:35

Personnel

Credits adapted from Birthing liner notes. ^[7]

Swans

• Michael Gira – vocals, acoustic guitar, producer, art direction, design
• Phil Puleo – drums, hammered dulcimer, flute, melodia, percussion, layout
• Kristof Hahn – lap steel guitar, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, loops, backing vocals
• Dana Schechter – lap steel guitar, bass guitar, loops
• Christopher Pravdica – bass guitar, taishogoto, loops, sound effects, keyboards
• Larry Mullins – Mellotron, keyboards, piano, synthesizer, drums, vibraphone, percussion, backing vocals
• Norman Westberg – electric guitar, loops

Guest musicians

• Jennifer Gira – guest, backing vocals
• Laura Carbone – guest, backing vocals
• Lucy Kruger – guest, backing vocals
• Andreas Dormann – guest, soprano saxophone
• Little Mikey – guest, backing vocals
• Timothy Wyskida – drums on "The Merge"

Engineers

• Doug Henderson – mastering engineer
• Ingo Krauss – recording engineer, mixing engineer
• Kiron Gaudi – assistant engineer

References

1. Skinner, Tom (February 26, 2025). "Swans announce new album Birthing with sprawling 19-minute single 'I Am A Tower'". NME . Retrieved February 27, 2025.
2. "Swans Announce 17th Studio Album Birthing". Blabbermouth. February 25, 2025. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
3. Ragusa, Paolo (February 25, 2025). "Swans announce new album Birthing, share sprawling new song "I Am a Tower"". Consequence . Retrieved February 27, 2025.
4. Huot, Charlotte (February 25, 2025). "Swans Shares New Single "I Am a Tower" and Announces 17th Album Birthing For May 2025 Release". MXDWN. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
5. "Swans drop 17th studio album Birthing via Mute / Young God". Side Line. February 25, 2025. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
6. "Swans announce new album Birthing and share single "I Am a Tower"". LambGoat. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
7. Gira, Michael (2025). Birthing (Vinyl liner notes). Young God Records. p. 1. YG68.