Astral Swans (album)

Astral Swans
Studio album by
ReleasedOctober 8, 2021 (2021-10-08)
StudioThe Department of Creativity and Mischief
Genre
Length34:25
LabelSaved by Vinyl (Canada)
Tiny Room Records (Netherlands)
Moorworks (Japan)
Producer
  • Paul Chirka
  • Brock Geiger
  • Astral Swans
Astral Swans chronology
Strange Prison
(2018)
Astral Swans
(2021)

Astral Swans is the third studio album by Canadian singer-songwriter Astral Swans, released on October 8, 2021, on Saved by Vinyl (Canada), Tiny Room Records (Netherlands), and Moorworks (Japan).[1] It was described by Exclaim! as "the culmination of everything he's been building toward," featuring "bleakly existential lyrics lifted by gorgeous arrangements,"[2] and by RANGE magazine as an album that "boasts a confidence and musical optimism unlike his previous albums."[3]

Track listing

No.TitleLength
1."Spiral" (feat. Julie Doiron)2:33
2."Flood" (feat. Julie Doiron)3:08
3."Blackhole Town" (feat. Julie Doiron)2:45
4."End of the World (Missing You)"2:33
5."Sympathy for the Stupid"3:29
6."Bird Songs"2:39
7."The Wind in a Mindless Universe"1:59
8."Cross Bones Style" (written by Chan Marshall)3:33
9."March 28/20"2:40
10."Beautiful Things Happen"2:36
11."More Nothing Than Something"3:01
12."I Was Awake for a While"3:49
Total length:34:25

Personnel

All vocals and instrumentation by Matthew Swann, except:

  • Julie Doiron (Eric's Trip) – vocals (tracks 1, 2, 3, 8)
  • Brock Geiger (Reuben and the Dark) – drums, guitar, keys, bass, percussion, clarinet (tracks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12)
  • Scott Munro (Preoccupations) – bass, synths, guitar, background vocals (tracks 4, 5, 7, 10, 11)
  • Paul Chirka – keys, strings, mellotron, synth (tracks 2, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12)
  • Kevin Sullivan – saxophone (tracks 2, 11)
  • Jim Bryson – guitar, background vocals (track 6)
  • Cassia Hardy (Wares) – guitar (track 5)
  • Laura Leif – vocals (track 5)
  • Laura Hickli – background vocals (track 6)
  • Minami Taiga – vocals (track 7)
  • Shalom Toy – vocals (track 9)
  • Carol Sweet – vocals (track 12)

All songs written by Matthew Swann, except track 8 written by Chan Marshall. Produced by Paul Chirka, Brock Geiger, and Astral Swans. Recorded and mixed by Paul Chirka at The Department of Creativity and Mischief.

References

  1. ^ "Astral Swans Announces Self-Titled Album, Shares New Single Featuring Julie Doiron". Exclaim!. 11 August 2021.
  2. ^ Alex Hudson (14 December 2021). "25 Great Canadian Albums You Might Have Missed in 2021". Exclaim!.
  3. ^ Danielle Wensley (4 November 2021). "Premiere: Astral Swans – "Blackhole Town"". RANGE Magazine.