Seven Swans

Seven Swans was released on 16 March 2004 on Sounds Familyre, with the vinyl on Burnt Toast Vinyl. It was recorded and produced by Daniel C. Smith, Stevens's friend, at his home studio and the New Jerusalem Rec Room in Clarksboro, New Jersey. Smith also sang and played bass, David Smith and Andrew Smith played drums and Megan and Elin Smith sang.

Several songs draw on scripture or literature. Abraham follows the test in which he is told to sacrifice his son Isaac, A Good Man Is Hard to Find is built on the Misfit from Flannery O'Connor's short story, the title song loosely alludes to the Book of Revelation, and The Transfiguration closes the record. Pitchfork's Nick Sylvester wrote that the banjo-led instrumentation lends the album a high degree of sincerity. The Guardian called it a record of remarkable delicacy, and Spin said it sounded like Elliott Smith after ten years of Sunday school. It scored 87 on Metacritic.

Rough Trade issued a 7-inch of The Dress Looks Nice on You on 8 March 2004 with Borderline on the B-side, a 2011 album of covers called Seven Swans Reimagined gathered artists who had worked with Stevens, and a deluxe edition arrived on 21 June 2024.