Giant Swan is the Bristol-based duo of Harry Wright and Robin Stewart, best known for their their buoyant, energetic, physical live sets. They’ve been making music together for over a decade, first meeting and bonding over a love of skateboarding and a bit of harmless vandalism. (Trainspotters may have heard of their indie rock group, The Naturals.) Wright describes their self-titled debut as “A statement that changes with each recipient, centered around tolerance, inclusion, self-sufficiency and TRUST. Oh, and also weed and beats. It's about getting stoned and losing ourselves to each other's consciousness.” He continues - “We’re about what techno used to be about: losing yourself, not worrying about the snobby elements of dance music, We’re trying to bring the fun back into it.” That message is received loud and clear across the album’s 10 rugged tunes. “55 Year Old Daughter” starts with crashing drums and chopped up vocal fragments, washing-machine percussion and heady effects. “Pandamonium” starts off with relatively restrained hammer-on-car-door drums and loose bass rumble, “Pan Head” is slo-mo rumble and Chris & Cosey-esque sound collage eclecticism. Recommended. 

• black vinyl pressing
  
• reverse board sleeve
  
• music label: Keck 2019

reviewed by SPECIAL K 01/2020