To Be Kind

Released in 2014, To Be Kind is the second installment in Swans' trilogy of sprawling double albums that defined their 21st-century resurgence. Recorded at Sonic Ranch with producer John Congleton, the album captures the band's transition from the more atmospheric textures of The Seer toward a leaner, more groove-oriented sound. Much of the material was refined through exhaustive live performances, resulting in tracks like the 34-minute 'Bring the Sun / Toussaint L’Ouverture' which function as long-form exercises in tension and release. The album features notable contributions from St. Vincent (Annie Clark), whose backing vocals add a haunting, ethereal layer to the otherwise abrasive soundscapes. Critically, it marked a commercial high point for the band, breaking into the Top 40 in both the US and UK. It is widely regarded as a masterpiece of modern experimental rock, praised for its uncompromising vision and the sheer physical power of its production.