Released 10 years ago
The Wild Swan
Foy Vance · 2016
43 min · 12 tracks · alternative rock
A soulful blend of folk and rock, where heartfelt lyrics intertwine with vibrant melodies and intricate instrumentation.
Top tracks — play these first
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Noam Chomsky Is a Soft Revolution — Opening with sharp political commentary, this track sets the tone for the album's thematic exploration of societal issues blended with personal reflection.
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She Burns — This track features emotive storytelling and a captivating melody, showcasing Vance's ability to weave universal themes of love and loss into his music.
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Casanova — With its infectious rhythm and clever lyrics, this song highlights Vance's wit and charm while exploring themes of romance and vulnerability.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong songwriting and production, with a cohesive flow but lacks standout uniqueness.
What we noticed
- Several tracks incorporate layered instrumentation, with strings and piano complementing the acoustic guitar and vocals.
- The lyrics often employ vivid imagery and personal anecdotes, creating a narrative thread that runs through multiple songs.
- 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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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. 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
- nostalgic warmth in every track
- short bursts of reflective storytelling
- uplifting moments for casual listening
- inviting sing-alongs with friends
- steady pacing for road trips
Maybe skip if you
- seeks constant high energy
- prefers lengthy immersive experiences
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2016, The Wild Swan is Foy Vance's third studio album, following his 2013 release, Joy of Nothing. At this point in his career, Vance had gained recognition for his poignant songwriting and distinctive vocal style, establishing a solid fan base and critical acclaim.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Ben Howard· James Vincent McMorrow· Hozier
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Noam Chomsky Is a Soft Revolution 2:28
- 2 Upbeat Feelgood 3:23
- 3 Coco 2:30
- 4 Casanova 3:16
- 5 Bangor Town 4:26
- 6 Burden 3:33
- 7 She Burns 3:50
- 8 Be Like You Belong 4:48
- 9 Unlike Any Other 4:15
- 10 Ziggy Looked Me in the Eye 4:01
- 11 Fire It Up (The Silver Spear) 4:05
- 12 The Wild Swans on the Lake 3:08
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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