Ohmylord I've actually patiently been waiting for the new Swans record instead of spoiling it with a leak. I'm waiting for my autographed vinyl copy to come in but I ended up caving and went to go buy a second vinyl today (present for somebody later who knows.) This is obviously heavily influenced by first time listening factor, but this might be my favorite Swans record. Gira obviously goes fucking insane, and ironically that sort of primal energy probably makes this one of the most accessible Swans records ever.
I personally think this record's gonna be even bigger than the Seer popularity wise. The big droning epics are missing here and replaced with some flail worthy jazz and smash-your-wall-because-I'm-gonna-dance-like-Ian-Curtis basslines. I actually think this is going to be the first Swans show I go to where the crowd will actually be, gasp, grooving with the songs. The last two shows I've gone to have been reasonably low key with people just kind of swaying back and forth. Also jesus christ these songs at the unholy noise level of Swans live shows is gonna be SO DAMN HYPE.
TL:DR Swans fanboy here giving it the thumbs up. This is probably the third Swans record I'll be giving a perfect score (along with The Seer and Soundtracks For The Blind.)
If you haven't gotten into the revitalized Swans yet, this is definitely the album to do it.