Allison Russell In the Hour of Chaos
Allison Russell has long found comfort in collaboration. And, if you know a little about her story (raised in part by an oft-absent mother and an abusive stepfather), it makes sense – she had to form her own family in life, and she continues to do so in music. But, while her art has long served her in self-healing (go back and listen to her solo debut, 2021’s Outside Child, to learn her story of salvation), she’s since turned to using it to help others. Her new album, In the Hour of Chaos, assembles a mass of friends, from Nashville and far outward, to find little moments of happiness in our mess of a 2026.
In the Hour of Chaos begins with a pep talk, of sorts, to Russell herself. One of only two tracks on the album where Russell claims sole lead vocals, “Rainbows” dips back into the singer’s youth – “Remember all the stories that you used to tell/To strangers in the park when you were scared” – while reminding herself that happiness can exist during times of great uncertainty, like rainbows during a storm. While she’s backed by a supportive chorus here, as soon as track number two, “No Springtime,” she’s happy to share the spotlight; I’ve followed Joy Oladokun for a bit, but here, as she acknowledges the power of sadness – “I see you going back there again/To the moment where it all went wrong” – it may be the best she’s sounded (background vocals from Julie Williams and sublime guitar work from Megan McCormick wonderfully round out the track).
As always, Russell isn’t afraid of that sadness – that toughness – found in everyday life. A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about BJ Barham’s strange positivity, despite a (fully accurate) reputation for writing sad-ass songs. Conversely, Russell’s renown (again, wholly earned) as a beacon of positivity belies the pain found across her catalog, from her enslaved ancestor in “Quasheba, Quasheba” (from 2019’s Songs of Our Native Daughters) through most of Outside Child and right on through to today. “Black Lavender,” released last month for Juneteenth, features Brittney Spencer in a supportive show of friendship – “Hey Black Swan what went wrong/You got your fight or flight turned on/You don’t know how beautiful you are.” The eerie “Chaos Theory” displays a squall of emotions before settling down to soothe – “You’re gonna feel my hands in your hair/Well tomorrow doesn’t know about us/Eh, yesterday doesn’t care” – with a back rub and a wash of Wendy Melvoin’s acoustic guitar. What’s left of negative emotions floats away with the album-capping “Good Omens.” Harpist Ahya Simone lends a dream-like quality as depression – “In a black wing instant, something just shifted…our spirits lifted” – departs and makes room for the colors – the rainbows – that Russell describes at the outset of the record, seeing “good omens everywhere.” The healing – and the happiness – that Russell and her friends find in song find is not merely earned, but taken from those who would cause them harm.
Song I Can’t Wait to Hear Live: “Two Stars” – I was first drawn to Russell by her banjo playing on Songs of Our Native Daughters, and I’m still happy every time she pulls the instrument out. Here, she plays Persophone (of Hadestown, in which she starred) to Chibueze Ihuoma’s Orpheus on a song that’s hypnotic and awake – “I’ll never ever ever let you down/But there’s no time to fuck around/I can feel the shake in all the foundations” – at the same time.
In the Hour of Chaos was produced by dim star and Allison Russell, recorded and mixed by Brandon Bell and mastered by Kim Rosen (assistant engineering by Kelsey Porter, Caroline Whitaker, Skyler Chuckry, Annie Petrik and Josh Goode, additional vocal recording by Ross Collier, JT Nero and David Boyle). All songs written by Allison Russell, JT Nero and Drew Lindsay (“Good Omens” written with Ahya Simone and Megan McCormick). Musicians on the album include Allison Russell (lead and harmony vocals, banjo), Caoi de Barra (harmony vocals, percussion), Caoimhe Hopkinson (harmony vocals), Drew Lindsay (drum programming, electric piano, piano, synth, Moog, Farfisa, handclaps), Elizabeth Pupo-Walker (percussion), Ganessa James (bass, harmony vocals). JT Nero (harmony vocals, handclaps), Kyshona (lead and harmony vocals), Megan McCormick (electric guitar, acoustic guitar, bass, low end sonic boom), Sara Watkins (lead and harmony vocals), Wendy Melvoin (acoustic guitar, bass, ukulele, low end sonic boom, electric guitar, drums), Joy Oladokun (lead and harmony vocals), Julie Williams (harmony vocals), Lisa Coleman (synth, piano), Denitia (lead and harmony vocals), Kara Jackson (lead and harmony vocals), Brittney Spencer (lead and harmony vocals), Lisa Coleman (piano, synths, low end sonic boom), Nikki Glaspie (drums), Norah Jones (lead and harmony vocals), Ruby Amanfu (lead and harmony vocals), Devon Gilfillian (lead and harmony vocals), Autumn Nicholas (harmony vocals), Brandon Bell (low end sonic boom), Kashus Culpepper (lead and harmony vocals), Chibueze Ihuoma (lead and harmony vocals), Ahya Simone (harp), Anna Butterss (bass), and Explore! Pop Choir directed by Marisa Frank, assisted by Asia Wilson, Brooke Jenkins and TC Carruthers, featuring Anarion Ewing, Aubree Johnson, Audrey Bennett, Bibiana Schrank, Brooklyn James, Brooklyn Murray, Chy’nia Ray, Daisy Hobbs, Eleanor Hill, Everly Miller, Gracie Gray, Griffin Cameron, Ida Maeve Robertson Lindsay, Jadalyn Stewart, Jourdyn Robinson, Kaytiya Swanson, Kingston Wilson, Legaci Shelton, Liya Thompson, Madisyn Walker, Marie Gates, Myers Gibson, Paris Bonds, Trinity Bentley, Vivienne Eck, Zaida Johnston (lead Vocals, harmony vocals, handclaps).
Go here to order/stream In the Hour of Chaos (out July 10): https://www.concordrecords.com/collections/allison-russell
https://ffm.to/ar-inthehourofchaos
Check out tour dates here: https://allisonrussellmusic.com/tour/
Enjoy some of our previous coverage here: REVIEW: Allison Russell “The Returner”