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At Swim
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At Swim Image
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 8 Ratings

  • Summary: The third full-length solo release for the Irish singer-songwriter was produced with Aaron Dessner.
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Top Track

Prayer for the Dying
A prayer for the dying, for the waves coming in. And washing the edges, the edges away from within. Of your heart. My heart. A prayer for the... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. The Guardian
    Aug 26, 2016
    80
    These are stunningly pretty songs with quietly powerful undercurrents.
  2. The Independent (UK)
    Aug 18, 2016
    80
    Her own third album suggests she’s every bit [Damien Rice's] equal in tracking the heart’s mysterious emotional undercurrents.
  3. The Telegraph (UK)
    Aug 16, 2016
    80
    Hannigan rewards close attention, though. Lyrical phrases float up that demonstrate she is a writer of great care, with an eye for an arresting image.
  4. AllMusic
    Aug 18, 2016
    80
    As per usual, it's Hannigan's otherworldly voice that provides the anchor, effortlessly shifting from smoky lows to crystalline highs like a precision sports car on a twisty mountain test drive.
  5. Consequence
    Aug 18, 2016
    75
    Dessner’s skill lies in sustaining this hazy, gray feeling without letting the songs sound drab. Hannigan radiates enough joy--even in the darkest moments--to keep the affair from being a downer.
  6. PopMatters
    Sep 1, 2016
    70
    At Swim is yet another sturdy installment in her increasingly impressive catalog.
  7. The Skinny
    Aug 16, 2016
    60
    Hannigan's oeuvre requires patience and focus, and while much of this new collection is dependent on tone and texture to connect, eventually deeper qualties shine through.

See all 12 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. Tojotomi
    Apr 30, 2017
    10
    Wow. What an album. I just been in Vienna on WUK to hear and feel Lisa live. Amazing. There is no difference when you want to compare recordedWow. What an album. I just been in Vienna on WUK to hear and feel Lisa live. Amazing. There is no difference when you want to compare recorded track and live performance. Live is even better.
    My recommendation.    … Expand
  2. PatrickCoteR
    Jan 23, 2017
    9
    This is her best work for now. It's relaxing, while being entertaining at the same time. Enough folk, little bit of indie-pop-issh. She'sThis is her best work for now. It's relaxing, while being entertaining at the same time. Enough folk, little bit of indie-pop-issh. She's really a "must know" artist.… Expand
  4. Ricko
    Mar 1, 2017
    8
    For me, Lisa Hannigan has gradually improved across each of her three albums with this one, "At Swim" her best so far. Apparently, it took anFor me, Lisa Hannigan has gradually improved across each of her three albums with this one, "At Swim" her best so far. Apparently, it took an age to write, coming 5 years after its predecessor "Passenger". I've always liked Hannigan but her decision to team up with Aaron Dessner for this album was the 2nd best move of her career after deciding to join forces with Damien Rice back in the late 90's. Dessner's touches are all over the record and he brings the beautifully haunting atmospherics you find on The National's best stuff to already great material, laced with Hannigans achingly gorgeous vocals. Every track is a thing of beauty on her but "Ora", found at the heart of the album, is sublime. A very strong contender for best Irish album of 2016.… Expand

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