Released 30 years ago this October
Among My Swan
Mazzy Star · 1996
54 min · 12 tracks · dream pop
Ethereal melodies intertwine with haunting vocals, creating a dreamlike atmosphere steeped in melancholic beauty.
Top tracks — play these first
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Flowers in December — This track features lush instrumentation paired with introspective lyrics, encapsulating the essence of longing and wistfulness that permeates the album.
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Look on Down From the Bridge — With its reflective tone and haunting melody, this song exemplifies the band's ability to evoke deep emotion through sparse arrangements and evocative imagery.
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Cry, Cry — This track stands out with its rhythmic drive and poignant lyrics, showcasing the blend of melancholy and resilience that characterizes much of the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album's ethereal soundscapes and consistent mood create a strong listening experience.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks establish a slow, ethereal pace with layered guitars and soft vocals, creating a consistent mood.
- Several tracks feature extended instrumental sections that allow the atmosphere to breathe, such as in 'Still Cold' and 'Umbilical'.
- The album closes with 'Look on Down From the Bridge', which features a gradual build-up of instrumentation before fading out, reinforcing its dreamlike quality.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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8/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- dreamy soundscapes for introspection
- melancholic beauty in solitude
- haunting vocals for quiet moments
- patient unfolding of emotional depth
Maybe skip if you
- prefer upbeat, energetic tracks
- seek immediate gratification
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on October 29, 1996, Among My Swan was Mazzy Star's third studio album and followed the critical acclaim of their previous work, So Tonight That I Might See. At this point, the band had firmly established their signature sound, blending elements of dream pop and folk rock, but faced challenges in maintaining commercial momentum as the music landscape shifted.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Cocteau Twins· Slowdive· Beach House
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Disappear 4:04
- 2 Flowers in December 4:57
- 3 Rhymes of an Hour 4:12
- 4 Cry, Cry 3:58
- 5 Take Everything 4:53
- 6 Still Cold 4:48
- 7 All Your Sisters 5:16
- 8 I’ve Been Let Down 3:17
- 9 Roseblood 4:51
- 10 Happy 3:58
- 11 Umbilical 4:59
- 12 Look on Down From the Bridge 4:47
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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