Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Allison Russell will issue a new album, The Returner, on September 8 via Fantasy Records. The multi-instrumentalist previewed the new record with the title track.
The Returner follows Russell’s acclaimed 2021 solo debut album, Outside Child. Allison tapped dim star (her partner JT Nero and Drew Lindsay) to co-produce the new LP. The Returner was recorded over solstice week in December 2022 at Henson Recording Studios in Los Angeles. The LP sees guest spots from Wendy & Lisa as well as Brandi Carlile, Brandy Clark and Hozier, who add vocals on closing track, “Requiem.”
Russell, who plays banjo and clarinet on the album, is backed on The Returner by her “‘Rainbow Coalition’ band of all female musicians” consisting of Elenna Canlas (keyboards/synth, backing vocals), Elizabeth Pupo-Walker (percussion), Chauntee Ross (violin, backing vocals) & Monique Ross (cello, backing vocals) aka SistaStrings, Ganessa James (bass, backing vocals), Joy Clark (guitar), Kerenza Peacock (violin), Larissa Maestro (cello, backing vocals), Lisa Coleman (piano), Mandy Fer (guitar, backing vocals), Meg Coleman (drums), Meg McCormick (guitar), Wendy Melvoin (guitar, bass) and Wiktoria Bialic (drums).
Russell further detailed the new record:
“My goal with The Returner – sonically, poetically, and spiritually – is a radical reclamation of the present tense, a real time union of body, mind, and soul. This album is a much deeper articulation of rhythm, groove, and syncopation. Groove as it heralds the self back into the body, groove as it celebrates sensual and sexual agency and flowering, groove as an urgent call to action and political activism.
“In just a word, it’s funkier. But as is the history of anything funky, it’s never just a party. It is a multiverse of energies that merges the celebration and the battle cry. For while an embrace of the present tense is a celebration, it is equally an unquestioning leap into battle – cultural, political, environmental.”
Preview The Returner with a visual for the title track below:
The Returner Tracklist:
- Springtime
- The Returner
- All Without Within
- Demons
- Eve Was Black
- Stay Right Here
- Shadowlands
- Rag Child
- Snake Life
- Requiem
