Soul artist Swamp Dogg has announced the June 19th, 2026 release of Swamp Dogg Contemplates The Afterlife, the 27th career album by the artist, born Jerry Williams, Jr. Two new tracks have been released from the new album, including “Searching For Heaven” and “Acid Tongue”.

The two tracks form a virtual double A-sided single, and are a reflection of Swamp Dogg’s genre-blending tendencies. “Searching For Heaven,” an original composition, is the album’s lead track and addresses the album’s overriding theme.

Swamp Dogg comments:

It kind of explores the idea ‘heaven on earth.’ You may actually have that happening in your own life but maybe haven’t figured it out yet. When you’re at home you’re surrounded by earthly angels who may even be related to you. For the most part, they have your best interests at heart. Of course, when you do finally leave home permanently, it’ll be up to a higher power to determine if you find that other heaven. If things work out, that’ll be a place with all the comforts of home.

“Acid Tongue” was written by Jenny Lewis who guested on Swamp Dogg’s 2024 album Blackgrass: From West Virginia to 125th St. Lewis’s original version dates from 2008 and was brought to Swamp Dogg’s attention by S-Curve chief Steve Greenberg, who is lead Producer on Swamp Dogg Contemplates The Afterlife.

Swamp Dogg explains:

Jenny Lewis has become a friend of mine so when Steve suggested I record her song ‘Acid Tongue’ I was open-minded about the idea. She cuts to the heart of the matter, the matter being loneliness and the overall human condition. She provides more wisdom in her song than a thousand doses of LSD could ever give you and that ain’t no bullshit. 

The initial Juneteenth release of the new album is digital, with a vinyl version projected to be available the following month in celebration of Swamp Dogg’s 84th birthday on July 12. He’ll be performing at a special birthday show at LA’s Venice West on July 11.

The album will be pressed on gold vinyl which prompted Swamp Dogg to remark, “I’ll finally have a gold album.” While Swamp Dogg has never received a gold disc as an artist, he’s been awarded gold records for recordings by other artists which he has either produced, wrote ,or was the source of samples, including Gene Pitney, Johnny Paycheck, Tracy Byrd, Freddie North, Z.Z. Hill, DMX, MC Breed and Kid Rock.

2026 TOUR DATES

June 17 – New York, NY – Blue Note Jazz Festival at Sony Hall 

June 18 – Woodstock, NY – Bearsville Theater 

June 19 – Greenfield, MA – Green River Festival  

June 20 – Portland, ME – SPACE Gallery

June 21 – Manchester, VT – Earth Sky Time Farm concert series

July 11 – Venice, CA – Venice West (Swamp Dogg’s 84th Birthday Concert)