"Muswell Hillbillies" is the tenth studio album by the English rock group the Kinks, released in November 1971 as their first album for RCA Records. The title references the Muswell Hill area of North London, where band leader Ray Davies and guitarist Dave Davies grew up and formed the band in the early 1960s.
The album features various working-class characters and explores the challenges they face. While it did not achieve commercial success, it received critical acclaim and continues to be appreciated by fans.
Recording took place between August and October 1971 at Morgan Studios in London. The Kinks used a new brass section called the Mike Cotton Sound, which included musicians on trumpet, trombone, tuba, and clarinet.
Despite failing to chart in the UK and reaching only #100 in the U.S., the album garnered praise from critics. Stereo Review named it "album of the year" in 1972, and Rolling Stone later gave it five stars, calling it Ray Davies' "signature statement" as a songwriter. In a retrospective review, AllMusic noted the album's exploration of modern life's tensions and frustrations.
A remastered deluxe edition of Muswell Hillbillies was released in the UK on October 7, 2013, featuring bonus tracks and alternate takes. A Legacy Edition followed in the U.S. on November 10, 2014, including a remastered stereo album and a DVD of promotional performances.
The album's cover art was photographed by Rod Shone at the Archway Tavern, while the back cover image shows the band near a signpost pointing to Muswell Hill.
