It should come as no surprise that under the guidance of frontman Michael Gira, Swans has been capable of releasing, yet again, another impressive record; a two hour experimental rock odyssey that verges on perfection and leaves you wanting more. Gira has managed to fine-tune Swans’s very distinct style and sound to create a cohesive masterpiece in their thirteenth studio release. The rugged facade Michael presents in interviews stands in contrast to the mystery he has brought to life in To Be Kind. As you enter into Swans’s new world, the abstract lyricism and enticing sounds will hypnotise you; be careful not to lose track of time. This is an astonishing achievement, especially considering the shortest track “Some Things We Do” lasts just over 5 minutes. The only noticeable imperfection in the album is unearthed within the album’s longest track ‘Bring the Sun / Toussaint L’Ouverture,’ which lasts 34 minutes. Michael could have easily created the same sense of satisfying commotion more concisely; the track came across as being unnecessarily long. The kingdom Michael has established is a perplexing one, lying beyond an opaque barrier, impenetrable for those who seek to enter through conventional routes as To Be Kind refuses to conform to orthodox rock standards.