Allison Russell on her New Album The Returner and Redefining Americana

The new face of Americana, Allison Russell, comes out with her sophomore solo album, The Returner. The rising star touches on her larger-than-life- goals, sparking change in the world around her.

Allison Russell has become the face of Americana music, starting with her nomination for Artist of the Year for the Americana Awards. This bold and exciting claim stems from Russell’s community-building mindset, inclusivity, and bold voice that forces her to stand out in a crowd.

Russell’s newly released album, The Returner, comes as only her second solo album. Russell’s previous album, Outside Child, won her an Album of the Year at last year’s Americana Awards. Being her second solo release, fans often view Russell as a newcomer, when in reality, Allison has been in the industry for nearly two decades and a part of various duos and groups along the way. As a solo artist, Russell is finally getting the acknowledgment and attention she deserves for her art and talent.

In The Returner, the artist took a new approach than in her previous album, Outside Child. Russell wanted this album to be a celebration of the present and not reminiscent of the past. Her use of rock, funk, folk, and disco makes Russell stand out as an artist. The Returner was recorded in a matter of four days. The time crunch that would’ve pressured other artists was welcomed by Allison, who remarked that “it even felt magical.”

Beyond her new album, Russell’s identity is a large part of her work and message. Community is a major component of Russell and her larger-than-life goals of leaving the world a better place than she found it. Russell is sure to make her mark, whether she’s fighting anti-LGTQ legislation, going after healthcare for the transgender community, or fighting the First Amendment.

On stage, Russell finds herself surrounded by a community of women from all different backgrounds. The community of women seen alongside Russell is not to compensate for an imbalance in the industry but rather as a representation of Black women, queer women, and all women of color.

Russell’s undeniable talent, along with the community she builds up around her, has made her one of the fastest-rising Americana artists in recent years. With tour dates set and Allison’s desire to make deep meaningful changes in all that she does, she’s not slowing down anytime soon. Listen to Allison Russell’s newest album, The Returner, here.