"Cop" is the second studio album by American experimental rock band Swans. Released in 1984, it features a very harsh and heavy industrial sound, even compared to their previous material, and is considered one of the darkest and most terrifying records ever made. Lead vocalist and instrumentalist Michael Gira's songwriting on the album is stark and brutal, often dealing with themes like authority, power, and control while the instrumental section consists of heavy, repetitive, and grinding noise-rock.
The band, at this point, consisted of Michael Gira, Norman Westberg, Roli Mosimann, and Harry Crosby. The critical reception of "Cop" has generally been positive, with critics noting its extreme sonic assault and bleak themes. Despite this, it achieved only niche popularity and didn't chart upon release due to its intense and discomforting sound. The album has, however, grown in stature over time and is now seen as a classic within the Swans discography and within the noise rock and industrial genres as a whole. The cover art of the album, designed by Gira, features a blurry black-and-white image of a humanoid figure that echoes the ominous and confrontational themes of the music. Furthermore, the album's production was done by the band itself, reflecting Swans' DIY ethos at the time. The record was released through their own label, 'Neutral Records'.
