Performing under the project name Astral Swans, Matthew Swann is a multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter from Calgary, Alberta. This lo-fi, soft folk album has some emotional and pretty tracks, while some tracks like 2, 11, and 12 repeat their themes/lyrics too much for my taste. Guitar, drums, tambourine, keyboard, and theremin all work together in varied amounts throughout this album. Listen to this when you want some quiet music to embrace darkness with.
-DJ Yamster

FCC: 1, 4
Try 4, 9, 10
RIYL: Band of Horses

1. Blow Away – 4:08 – FCC, one “fuck.” Song sounds quiet and lowkey but pensive. Steady, moderate tambourine, guitar, & drums.
2. Controls – 2:58 – Feminine vocals layered with Matthew Swann’s. Okay song, but too repetitive and plain for my taste.
3. What Are You Gonna Do With Yourself – 3:57 – Gets deep and moody about 1 min in, with pretty and faint galactic keyboard sounds.
4. **Prison Builder – 2:12 – FCC, one “fuck.” Simple and acoustic, but a pretty and cavernous track if you can play during Safe Harbor Hours!
5. General Rule – 2:33 – Light, fast-paced. Nice reverb on Swann’s and guests’ vocals, which disappear a minute before the song ends and it’s just music.
6. The Kids Came by and Burned Down the Scene – 2:32 – Slow and sensual with echoing guitar and minimal drums.
7. Strange Prison – 3:17 – Slow vocals float well over drawn-out guitar, drums, & keyboard (?).
8. Free Yourself From All Harm – 3:17 – Consistent beating and pedaling of drums, short guitar notes. Humming vocals.
9. **I Belong– 2:48 – Upbeat. Cool beat & rhythm change around 2:05!
10. **Excess – 2:08 – Fun beat, hear extra guitar and shimmering keyboard about 1:20 in.
11. Sew Their Mouths – 3:31 – Drums are working the hardest here. Ok, repetitive song.
12. I Wanna See Something Burn – 2:44 – Gaps between beating of drums make the song quirky. But still a repetitive song.
13. End Song – 2:20 – Wonderfully introspective lyrics and thoughtful guitar. Too simple to be one of my favorites, though.