Oxygen (Swans EP)

Oxygen
EP by Swans
Released	November 25, 2014 (2014-11-25)
Recorded	2013–2014
Length	20:01
Label	Young God/Mute [1]
Producer	Michael Gira
Swans chronology
To Be Kind (2014) Oxygen (2014) The Gate (2015)

Oxygen is an EP by American experimental rock band Swans. It was released digitally on November 25, 2014 through frontman Michael Gira's own label, Young God Records. ^[2]

Background

The EP features four different versions of the title track "Oxygen", originally from the band's 2014 album, To Be Kind . The versions include an edit by Mute Records founder Daniel Miller, a live version recorded at Primavera Sound festival, an early version recorded at band leader Michael Gira's home studio and an acoustic version recorded at Studio Mute. ^{[3] [4]}

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
PopMatters	8/10 [5]
The Line of Best Fit	8.5/10 [6]

PopMatters critic Eric Risch wrote: "Despite none of the four versions here reaching the original's length, the Oxygen EP is not fuel efficient enough for the daily commute and provides more torque than required for a Sunday drive." Risch further added: "Revealing the true horsepower behind "Oxygen", this collection should be handled by a professional driver on a closed course." ^[5]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Michael Gira.

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Oxygen" (Edit)	3:04
2.	"Oxygen" (Live at Primavera)	6:49
3.	"Oxygen" (Early Version)	4:24
4.	"Oxygen" (Acoustic)	5:44
Total length:		20:01

Japanese release

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Oxygen"	7:57
2.	"Oxygen" (Edit)	3:04
3.	"Oxygen" (Live at Primavera)	6:49
4.	"Oxygen" (Early Version)	4:24
5.	"Oxygen" (Acoustic)	5:24
6.	"She Loves Us" (Live)	15:16
Total length:		43:14

Personnel

Credits adapted from Oxygen liner notes ^[7]

Swans

• Michael Gira – vocals, guitar, production
• Christoph Hahn – lap steel guitars, electric guitar, vocals
• Thor Harris – drums, percussion, vibes, wind instruments, vocals
• Christopher Pravdica – bass guitar, acoustic guitar, vocals
• Phil Puleo – drums, percussion, dulcimer, vocals
• Norman Westberg – guitar, vocals

Additional personnel

• Daniel Miller – editing (track 1)
• Bob Biggs – artwork

References

1. "Liturgy opening for Swans, who have a new EP & added dates". BrooklynVegan . Retrieved November 25, 2014.
2. Terry, Josh (October 10, 2014). "Swans announce new EP, share alternate version of "Oxygen"". Consequence of Sound . Retrieved November 25, 2014.
3. Murray, Robin (October 20, 2014). "Swans Confirm 'Oxygen' EP". Clash . Retrieved November 25, 2014.
4. "Swans to release Oxygen EP of live, acoustic and demo versions". Fact . October 20, 2014. Retrieved November 25, 2014.
5. Risch, Eric (November 26, 2014). "Swans: Oxygen EP". PopMatters . Retrieved December 6, 2014.
6. Magee, Tamlin (November 20, 2014). "Oxygen EP". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved August 19, 2025.
7. Oxygen (CD liner notes). Swans. Young God Records. 2014.

External links

• Oxygen EP at Swans' official Bandcamp page
• Oxygen EP on Young God Records' official website