Strange Prison Explained

Strange Prison
Type:	studio
Artist:	Astral Swans
Cover:	Astral Swans - S t r a n g e P r i s o n Album Cover.jpg
Released:	2018
Genre:	Indie rock
Label:	Saved by Vinyl (in North America), Tiny Room Records (in Europe), Moorworks Records (in Japan)
Producer:	Scott Munro (Preoccupations), Paul Chirka, and Matthew Swann, except tracks 2 and 10, produced by Dan Mangan
Prev Title:	All My Favorite Singers Are Willie Nelson
Prev Year:	2015

Strange Prison is an album by Astral Swans, released in May 2018,^{[1] [2]} described by Exclaim Magazine as "Swann's most sonically exploratory and emotionally resonant release to date,"^[3] and by BeatRoute Magazine as "brimming with life, full of texture and character while maintaining a laid-back, atmospheric quality".^[4]

Track listing

1. "Blow Away"
2. "Controls"
3. "What Are You Gonna Do with Yourself"
4. "Prison Builder"
5. "General Rule"
6. "The Kids Came By and Burned Down the Scene"
7. "Strange Prison"
8. "Free Yourself from All Harm"
9. "I Belong"
10. "Excess"
11. "Sew Their Mouths"
12. "I Wanna See Something Burn"
13. "End Song"

Personnel

All vocals and instrumentation by Matthew Swann, except:

• Dillon Whitfield (Jane Vain and the Dark Matter) – backing vocals (tracks 1, 2); drums (track 6); bass, guitar (track 10)
• Paul Chirka – organ (tracks 1, 7, 9, 11); backing vocals (track 1); strings (track 7)
• Chris Vail – guitar (tracks 1, 11)
• Rena Kozak – vocals (tracks 3, 12)
• Sarah Groot – vocals, keys (tracks 2, 10)
• Joe Ramirez – drums (tracks 3, 7, 8, 9, 11)
• Scott Munro (Preoccupations) – keys (tracks 3, 5, 8, 12); guitar (track 4)
• Dan Gaucher (Fond of Tigers / The October Trio) – drums (tracks 2, 10)
• Dan Mangan – backing vocals, piano, bass synth (track 2)
• Sarah Tigerwing – vocals (track 5)
• Distance Bullock – drums (tracks 3, 9, 11)
• Christina Milinusic – theremin (track 6)

All songs written by Matthew Swann.

Produced by Scott Munro (Preoccupations), Paul Chirka, and Astral Swans (except tracks 2 and 10 produced by Dan Mangan).

All songs mixed by Paul Chirka at The Department of Creativity and Mischief, except for tracks 2 and 10 mixed by Dan Mangan at National Park Studios.

Mastered by Harris Newman.

Artwork and design by Gabriel Alan Collins.

Notes and References

1. Web site: First Play: Astral Swans, Strange Prison - CBC Music. Melody Lau. CBC Music. 10 May 2018.
2. Web site: Inside Out: Calgary's Astral Swans expands on intimate sound with sophomore release. Eric Volmers. Calgary Herald. 12 May 2018.
3. Web site: Astral Swans Returns with 'Strange Prison' . Calum Slingerland . . 17 May 2018.
4. Web site: Astral Swans: Dark complexities, beauty in sight . Gareth Jones . BeatRoute Magazine. 11 May 2018.