John Craigie’s I Swam Here is a luminous, contemplative collection that opens 2026 with warmth and subtle strength. The Portland-based singer-songwriter balances his trademark “humorous storytelling, serious folk” style with a newfound delicacy, drawing inspiration from both the vibrant streets of New Orleans and the quiet landscapes of the Pacific Northwest. Across ten tracks, Craigie navigates between intimate acoustic reflections and richly textured arrangements, creating an album that feels both grounded and expansive.
The opening track, “Mermaid Weather,” immediately signals the album’s sensual, immersive tone. The nylon-string guitar Craigie borrowed from longtime collaborator Anna Moss weaves effortlessly through Brazilian-inspired rhythms, while piano, lap steel, and backing vocals provide lush, understated support. The song sets the stage for an album that blends the warmth of jazz-inflected folk with the storytelling depth of traditional American songcraft.
Tracks like “Edna Strange” and “Dry Land” showcase Craigie’s narrative range. “Edna Strange” evokes classic Western balladry, painting vivid portraits in the style of Marty Robbins, while “Dry Land” combines folk rock sensibilities with a reflective, almost cinematic sweep. Across these songs, Craigie’s arrangements remain delicate but precise, with each instrument—pedal steel, organ, or clarinet—carefully placed to enhance the emotional resonance of the lyrics.
“I Remember Nothing” stands out for its experimental approach, featuring a hovering organ sustained by tape to simulate hands that aren’t physically present. The result is an eerie, Velvet Underground–inflected soundscape that contrasts with the album’s warmer, more grounded moments. Similarly, “Fire Seasons” blends lap steel, drums, and bass into a dreamy, jazz-tinged folk piece that highlights Craigie’s sensitivity to texture and atmosphere.
Craigie’s use of two distinct recording locations—New Orleans and Astoria, Oregon—echoes Bob Dylan’s split-location approach on Blood on the Tracks. Yet the album’s mixing is seamless, creating a cohesive sonic world that captures both the lush, human vibrancy of New Orleans and the reflective stillness of the Northwest. This duality lends the record a quiet dynamism, where songs feel simultaneously rooted in place and timeless in spirit.
I Swam Here is a testament to Craigie’s patient craft and artistic confidence. It’s a record that balances storytelling, melodic invention, and textural nuance, revealing an artist who continues to explore his creative limits while remaining true to the intimate, human-centered approach that has defined his work. The album offers listeners both gentle reflection and rich musical immersion—a journey through place, memory, and the subtle poetry of everyday life.. – Jason Felton