What does The Beggar sound like?

A sprawling exploration of existential dread, merging haunting melodies with unsettling sonic textures. Rooted in alternative rock and progressive rock. Start with "The Parasite".

Is The Beggar a good place to start with Swans?

Yes, The Beggar is recommended as a starting point for new Swans listeners. A sprawling exploration of existential dread, merging haunting melodies with unsettling sonic textures. Released on June 23, 2023, The Beggar marks Swans' thirteenth studio album and continues their legacy after the acclaimed Leaving Meaning. At this point in his career, Michael Gira has solidified Swans as a project defined by relentless experimentation and introspection, following a resurgence that began with 2010's My Father Will Guide Me Up a Rope to the Sky.

Who is The Beggar for?

The Beggar works well if you're into immersive soundscapes for deep focus, gradual builds towards intense climax and exploratory journeys through darkness.

How many songs are on The Beggar?

The Beggar has 11 tracks, running approximately 122 minutes.

The Beggar

Swans · 2023

122 min · 11 tracks · alternative rock

A sprawling exploration of existential dread, merging haunting melodies with unsettling sonic textures.

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Top tracks — play these first

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The Parasite Start here — Opening the album with an immersive atmosphere, this track encapsulates the thematic essence of consumption and decay through its relentless build-up and dissonant layers.
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Paradise Is Mine — This track stands out for its contrasting serene vocals against chaotic instrumentation, creating a tension that mirrors the struggle between hope and despair.
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Los Angeles: City of Death — In just over three minutes, it starkly captures urban alienation with a haunting narrative that critiques society's darker aspects through vivid imagery.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

74 /100

Alpine

Higher than 98% of albums we've rated

The album's sprawling structure and evolving motifs create a distinctive listening experience that rewards repeat plays.

What we noticed

The album features lengthy tracks, with several exceeding eight minutes, allowing for gradual development of themes and textures.
Many songs incorporate repetitive motifs that evolve over time, creating a hypnotic effect that draws the listener deeper into the soundscape.
The instrumentation often shifts between sparse arrangements and dense layers, contributing to a sense of tension and release throughout the record.

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

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 focus
gradual builds towards intense climax
exploratory journeys through darkness
thought-provoking themes and narratives

Maybe skip if you

prefer concise, immediate gratification
seek upbeat, fast-paced tracks

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Late Career Highlight — Shows continued vitality and critical acclaim in the later stages of Swans' career.
Themes: consumption and decay· hope versus despair
Career context: Released on June 23, 2023, The Beggar marks Swans' thirteenth studio album and continues their legacy after the acclaimed Leaving Meaning. At this point in his career, Michael Gira has solidified Swans as a project defined by relentless experimentation and introspection, following a resurgence that began with 2010's My Father Will Guide Me Up a Rope to the Sky.
Stylistic neighbors: Godspeed You! Black Emperor· The Young Gods· Neurosis