Swanlights
by Antony and the Johnsons
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 28 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 28
  3. Negative: 0 out of 28
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  1. NOW Magazine
    60
    Swanlights is curiously one-note, occasionally self-indulgent and fails to leave a strong impression. Or perhaps Hegarty's simply raised the bar impossibly high for himself.
  2. The Guardian
    60
    The fourth Antony and the Johnsons album is more diverse and positive than 2008's The Crying Light, with familiar concerns of death and alienation broadening into family, human bonds, and the joys of love.
  3. Under The Radar
    60
    While the songs of Swanlights play like a logical extension of the progression from the last two albums by Antony and the Johnsons, they also feel like a possible conclusion, and maybe even a necessary one. [Fall 2010, p. 58]
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User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 32 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 32
  3. Negative: 2 out of 32
  1. BakaNaGaijin
    Oct 11, 2011
    9
    Swanlights, the fourth studio album by the New York artist, is what fans might have expected: a string of beautifuly composed and orchestratedSwanlights, the fourth studio album by the New York artist, is what fans might have expected: a string of beautifuly composed and orchestrated haunting songs about yearning, dealing with death and alienation, finding your own place in this unstable world. Antony sings as good as ever, and the songs feel lighter and more cheerful than the last time around. Perfect record for long, dark autumn evenings.… Full Review »
  2. Rene
    Oct 22, 2010
    9
    After the rather glum and subdued "The crying light" Antony turned again to death, womanhood and the earth. However, for the first time, thisAfter the rather glum and subdued "The crying light" Antony turned again to death, womanhood and the earth. However, for the first time, this album is much lighter in tone. The arrangements sparkle and shine, rarely has he seemed more at peace. A masterful album.… Full Review »
  3. Ricko
    Jan 31, 2014
    8
    lures you into a fog of beautiful melody
    To say this is a mellow affair would be putting it mildly. The sound Antony and his buddys create is    lures you into a fog of beautiful melody
    To say this is a mellow affair would be putting it mildly. The sound Antony and his buddys create is difficult to describe and you really have to listen to them to understand what I mean by this. Can you really label their music pop? The music is dished up in equal measures of beauty and weirdness. The songs are artfully and intricately put together and there is obvious craft gone into the record. There are no bad tracks and the worst I can say about the record is that the title track, while it has its moments, is a bit long winded and I'm not sure if it ever gets to a point. "Ghost", "Flétta" and "Salt Silver Oxygen" are the stand outs.

    If I was to try and describe the mood of this record, it's like the listener is lured into a fog of beautiful melody only to find themselves falling into a bog and not being able to get out.    … Full Review »
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