Michael Gira has always been interested in oppression. And I'm not just talking about those sexual assault accusations against him.
No, Gira has been fascinated by the instruments of oppression in this country for decades. Whether it's sex, greed, money, religion, or whatever, Gira has used Swans as a cudgel to smash expectations of what music can do, and what territory can be covered by artists invested in a near-total rejection of mainstream forms. Things are no different on the epic Leaving Meaning., out tomorrow on Young God Records.
Here, Michael Gira and his coterie of players make sounds that are, at times, minimalist, and at others, deafening. The release is the sort of thing that demands a listener's attention. And just releasing, in 2019, a record that clocks in at more than 90 minutes is an act of artistic bravado certainly worthy of praise. Still, at that length, Leaving Meaning. is a bit of an oppressive record. But for all that length, Leaving Meaning. is fairly simple in presentation, and stylistically beautiful in spots. And while "Hums" and other shorter numbers here don't really surprise, a lengthy offering like "The Hanging Man" does. A bit. The cut works mainly because it's nearly hypnotic, roiling forward into the void over the course of more than 10 minutes. It is, unlike the even longer dirge-like title track, engaging and energetic.
If "Cathedrals of Heaven" sounds a bit like stuff off of Children of God (1987), "Sunfucker" is a more confrontational spin on those forms. Brash, vaguely disturbing, and loud, the track is like the theme song to a cult you might want to join. Gira is veering dangerously close to something accessible here, despite the name of the composition, and its dark undercurrents. But, as always, the Swans front-man can conjure up worlds with just a hint of a blues hook, like on "Some New Things", one of the more digestible numbers here.
Still, for a guy who consistently operates outside the normal avenues of composition, Michael Gira can occasionally write and produce something that is legitimately beautiful. "What is This?" is simple and pure, and it's a lovely bit of business even with the whirring that carries it forward. In a similar fashion, "It's Coming It's Real" recalls, ever so slightly, Leonard Cohen's material. If Gira is more dispassionate than the late legend was, he's still capable of caressing the ear in an odd, distinct manner. For that reason, Leaving Meaning. is recommended for most long-time and casual fans of Michael Gira and Swans, and the dozens of players here.
Leaving Meaning. is out on Friday via Young God Records.
More details on Swans via the band's official Facebook page.