Allison Russell takes us in the hour of chaos
Het third albu is out now, Featuring Norah Jones, Brittney Spencer, Devon Gilfillian, Sara Watkins, Joy Oladokun, Kara Jackson, Kashus Culpepper, Denitia, Julie Williams, Ruby Amanfu, Kyshona, Ahya Simone, Chibueze Ihuoma, and more
Allison Russell’s In the Hour of Chaos is a fervent plea for connection in this time of alienation, isolation and dread. These are songs meant to reverse the tides that pull us farther and farther apart, even from ones we love the most.This is a record meant to make you feel GOOD, and, in these times, feeling good is a radical act. It’s only fitting then, that Russell leaned into her vibrant and ever expanding community of artists and friends to create a collaborative song suite that goes far beyond a succession of features.
The songs unfold like a series of one act plays with Allison, who joins with an artist(s) from her rainbow diaspora, many from her adopted home in Nashville. Tactile, vulnerable, raw, soothing, sensual, sad – each is a little capsule of humans being fully human and fully present. From the quiet reckoning of “No Springtime” with Joy Oladokun and Julie Williams, to the joy- with-a-splash-of-sadness that is “Cold April,” where Kara Jackson, Denitia, and Russell’s daughter Ida’s Explore! Pop Choir add intergenerational depth, Allison Russellcurates collaborators with care: Brittney Spencer’s earthy soul on “Black Lavender,” Norah Jones’ intimate ease on “Really Real,” Ruby Amanfu’s vulnerable grace on “Just Like Saturday,” – all serve as portals into our flawed, fantastic, interconnected lives.
Elsewhere, Devon Gilfillian brings effortless warmth to “Love is a Golden Lion,” Kashus Culpepper lends grit and swagger to “Searchlight,” Chibueze Ihuoma adds an otherworldly tenderness to “Two Stars,” and Ahya Simone’s incomparable harp closes the circle with the haunting “Good Omens.” Across these songs, Russellholds the center effortlessly, while illuminating the voices of her chosen family. She turns these throughlines into golden thread, strengthening as she weaves, the only protection she knows against the chaos of this hour.
