The two biggest constants throughout Xiu Xiu's catalog are honesty and evolution. This remains true with Dear God, I Hate Myself as it delivers a look at responsibility, fear, healing, and societal roles wrapped in rich gothic pop music.
A good portion of the material for this album was developed live during the Swans tours of 2012/13. Much of the music was otherwise conjured in the studio environment.
Michael Gira has been making truly incredible albums for decades now. Somehow, Swans managed to release one of their most beautiful albums this year, as a send off to this era of Swans and Gira.
