Is Deliquescence a good place to start with Swans?

Yes, Deliquescence is recommended as a starting point for new Swans listeners. A sprawling exploration of sound, where heavy drones intertwine with haunting melodies across expansive compositions. Released on January 1, 2017, Deliquescence marked a significant moment in Swans' discography as it was their first album following the band's reformation in 2010. This album showcases their continued evolution in sound after the critically acclaimed To Be Kind (2014), further deepening their avant-garde approach and immersive sonic landscapes.

Who is Deliquescence for?

Deliquescence works well if you're into immersive soundscapes for deep listening, gradual builds that evoke tension and hauntingly beautiful moments of chaos.

How many songs are on Deliquescence?

Deliquescence has 7 tracks, running approximately 155 minutes.

Deliquescence

Swans · 2017

155 min · 7 tracks · alternative rock

A sprawling exploration of sound, where heavy drones intertwine with haunting melodies across expansive compositions.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
The Knot Start here — Clocking in at over 45 minutes, this track serves as a monumental centerpiece that encapsulates the album's thematic and sonic explorations, merging intensity with meditative passages.
→
Cloud of Forgetting — This piece features an evocative blend of rhythmic patterns and atmospheric soundscapes, creating a hauntingly beautiful experience that represents the album's emotional core.
→
The Glowing Man — As the closing track, it embodies the culmination of the album's journey, enveloping listeners in its expansive arrangement and contemplative themes, making it a fitting conclusion to the Swans' narrative.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

77 /100

Summit

Higher than 99% of albums we've rated

The album's expansive soundscapes and intricate compositions showcase Swans' unique approach to alternative rock.

What we noticed

The album features lengthy tracks, with most exceeding six minutes, allowing for gradual development of themes and textures.
Drones and layered instrumentation create a dense soundscape that evolves slowly over the course of each track.
Vocals are often used as an additional instrument rather than a focal point, blending into the overall atmosphere.

Composition 25% of the score: 8/10
Craft 20% of the score: 9/10
Durability 25% of the score: 7/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 8/10

Influence 6/10

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

immersive soundscapes for deep listening
gradual builds that evoke tension
hauntingly beautiful moments of chaos
patient exploration of emotional depths
wave-like pacing for reflective moods

Maybe skip if you

seekers of instant gratification
prefer concise, standalone tracks

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Critical Peak — Showcases Swans' continued ambition and emotional depth post-reformation.
Themes: expansive soundscapes· meditative intensity
Career context: Released on January 1, 2017, Deliquescence marked a significant moment in Swans' discography as it was their first album following the band's reformation in 2010. This album showcases their continued evolution in sound after the critically acclaimed To Be Kind (2014), further deepening their avant-garde approach and immersive sonic landscapes.
Stylistic neighbors: Godspeed You! Black Emperor· The Young Gods· Neurosis

New to Swans? Find your way in →

Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

The Man Who Refused to Be Unhappy

A pivotal shift occurs when the lyrics confront personal despair directly, offering a stark contrast to the surrounding instrumentation.

This moment marks a departure from abstraction into raw introspection, emphasizing vulnerability amidst an otherwise expansive sound.