ANOHNI and the Johnsons - Swanlights
Critic Score
Based on 27 reviews
2010 Ratings: #121 / 924
User Score
Based on 67 ratings
2010 Rank: #166
Liked by 4 people
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CRITIC REVIEWS

90
Tiny Mix Tapes

Thematically and atmospherically, it is even more successful than The Crying Light, achieving its cohesiveness with an even wider stylistic palette.

80
PopMatters

While Swanlights shares its predecessor’s themes, it shuns its insularity, with Antony stretching his arms across a vast landscape.

77
Pitchfork

Across three records and a few dozen collaborations, Antony's seemed an uncanny puppet master of grace; Swanlights, however, wobbles.

70
musicOMH

As with Hegarty's previous releases, there remains the sense that this is an album to be admired, rather than loved, but that's not to take anything away from the beautiful craftsmanship on display here.

70
Drowned in Sound

It’s still an album that contains peerless highs, particularly when Antony surrenders himself completely to songs like ‘Everything Is New’ and ‘Swanlights’, but a more dynamic reconstruction of the Johnsons’ core sound would be most welcome next time around.

daFigz
88

And I quote: "Thematically and atmospherically, it is even more successful than The Crying Light, achieving its cohesiveness with an even wider stylistic palette." - Jonathan Dean Tiny Mix Tapes
To this beginning, I'll add the success of this album is, in part, attributable to Nico Muhly.
Quite a compelling performance and display of Anohni's mesmerizing prowess as a modern music wunderkind. Frankly, 'Swanlights' continues to beguile me as the years pass and often finds me wondering ... read more

LZGray
70

Even the weakest Anohni & the Johnsons album is gorgeous as hell.

kingsolomonf
75

Probably my least favorite Antony and the Johnsons album, but I can never resist hearing Anohni's voice. The title track and "Salt Silver Oxygen" are clear highlights. The Björk duet is nice, but they sound better on "Dull Flame of Desire" and "Atom Dance". Still, this is a nice bookend to Antony and the Johnsons' studio albums.

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Track List

Year End Lists

#8/Stereogum
#40/Tiny Mix Tapes
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