Selwyn Birchwood – Electric Swamp Funkin’ Blues Review
On March 27, 2026, Selwyn Birchwood will release his fifth album, Electric Swamp Funkin’ Blues. Birchwood also produced the record, a first for him. The album features an excellent lineup of musicians, including Birchwood on guitar, vocals, and lap steel; Regi Oliver on various saxophones and flutes; Donald “Huff” Wright on bass; Henley Connor III on percussion; John Hetherington on keys; Eli Bishop on violin, viola, and cello; and Briana Lutzi & Taylor Opie on backing vocals. The whole band is at peak performance, and Birchwood’s production is clear and bright, giving every bandmate a chance to shine. And boy, does this record shine.
Electric Swamp Funkin’ Blues’ tracks cover a wide range of musical styles, from the funkadelic and soulful George Clinton-esque vibes of the title track “The Church of Electric Swamp Funkin’ Blues,” to the classic 12-bar shuffle of “What I’ve Been Accused Of.” Several songs use the language of the blues to address modern themes, like privacy concerns and internet culture in “All Hail The Algorithm,” which uniquely incorporates dial-up noises into the chorus, and frustrations with political media in “Talking Heads.”
Electric Swamp Funkin’ Blues incorporates influences from country, old-school rhythm and blues, funk, disco. It’s a unique blend that feels familiar and fresh at the same time, just as the lyrical content balances between modern relationship woes (like the lament of “She’s going through my phone” in “What I’ve Been Accused Of”), political frustration, and old school heartbreak/lovesick blues.
Out of ten tracks on Electric Swamp Funkin’ Blues, I scored three, including the big electric intro “The Eagle Has Landed,” as perfect. Out of the remaining seven tracks, I scored all but one above an eight: “Labour of Love” doesn’t quite reach the fresh and fun heights of the rest of the album, which feels just a bit like a hiccup at the halfway point of the record, before the final half brings us right back to the top of the world.
Electric Swamp Funkin’ Blues is a thoroughly modern blues rock album that deftly showcases the experience and creativity of Birchwood and his band. Love for the music shines through in the craft and production, while both the instrumentation and lyrics ride this thin line perfectly between eclectic, classic, and modern. If Electric Swamp Funkin’ Blues is any omen, it’s gonna be a good spring for blues rockers.
The Review: 8/10
Can’t Miss Tracks
– All Hail The Algorithm
– Talking Heads
– Should’ve Never Gotten Out of Bed
– The Church of Electric Swamp Funkin’ Blues
The Big Hit
– The Church of Electric Swamp Funkin’ Blues
Just listened to new Selwyn Birchwood album for the first time. The guitar 🎸 is absolutely on target and the playing is downright lush at many points. What impressed me a lot, in addition to the excellent guitar, horns etc and thoughtful songwriting, is the cleanness of the sound! You can really hear the musicians playing/singing. Many new releases sound so manipulated by computers that the overall sound seems smashed and flattened. This album sounds “real”, it sounds clean and reminds me of great albums from the 60s and 70s when bands played live in the studio and the music wasn’t overly processed by technology.