Antony and the Johnsons (Music Review, First in a series)

is my favorite band where the lead singer is a transgender gay man. And that’s not nearly the back-handed compliment that you think it is. I think his voice is truly wonderful and generally the only instrument that is needed for any given song. Listen to the tracks “Hope There’s Someone” and “For Today I Am A Boy” off of I Am A Bird Now, or “One Dove” off of “The Crying Light” to see what I mean.

I say all of that, in order to tell you that a new album “Swanlights” dropped two days ago, and you should rush out and listen to it. And, if it’s as good as everything else he’s put out, buy it.

Further listening: An interview with Antony Hegarty on Fresh Air.