Allison Russell Announces Third Album, ‘In the Hour of Chaos’

Allison Russell, the Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter and actress, is set to release her third solo studio album, marking her first full-length project in three years. The record, titled "In the Hour of Chaos," is scheduled for release on July 10, with the lead single "Cold April" arriving today. This track features contributions from Kara Jackson, Denitia, and the Explore! Pop Choir, a children's ensemble. The album is defined by its collaborative nature, with nine of its ten tracks including at least one featured guest. Notable names appearing alongside Russell include Norah Jones, Joy Oladokun, Brittney Spencer, Ruby Amanfu, Sara Watkins, Julie Williams, Devon Gilfillian, Kyshona, Kashus Culpepper, Chibueze Ihuoma, and Ahya Simone. A press statement describes the project as "a collaborative song suite," underscoring the significance of such an extensive roster of contributors. Russell, whose 2021 album "Outside Child" earned her a Grammy nomination for Best American Roots Song, has consistently pushed the boundaries of folk and Americana music.

The release of "In the Hour of Chaos" arrives just ten days into a six-week summer tour where Russell will serve as the opening act for fellow Canadian artist Sarah McLachlan. This leg runs from July 1 through August 9, with highlights including two consecutive nights at Los Angeles' historic Greek Theatre on August 4-5. The Greek Theatre, a 5,870-seat venue nestled in Griffith Park, has hosted legendary acts from the Beatles to Bob Dylan. Following this, Russell will embark on her own headline tour starting October 15, covering cities across the United States and Canada. This album follows her 2023 effort "The Returner," which earned her the Americana Award for Album of the Year. Since that triumph, Russell has gained wider recognition through an extended stint as the opening act for Hozier's "Unreal Unearth" arena tour, as well as two separate runs playing Persephone in the Broadway production of "Hadestown." Her Broadway debut, which began in 2024, showcased her versatility as a performer and introduced her to a broader audience.

Reflecting on the single "Cold April," Russell shares that the song features not only Jackson—who was her opening act on the "Returner" tour—and Denitia, but also her daughter's choir. She explains: "Things are rough. Things have been rough before. 'Cold April' is not laying out the grim facts of the moment. 'Cold April' asks if we can let the music itself restore and recharge us. The act of singing with my sisters, Kara Jackson and Denitia, is a balm for my soul, and a wind at my back to keep on. And the Explore! Pop Choir… Let them tell it:..." She then quotes the lyrics: "Calling all birds from across the nation / Yeah we got a brand new murmuration / We don't have to fly in that old formation, no." Russell concludes: "Youth — and Love — will be served!" This sentiment aligns with the album's overarching theme, which an announcement describes as "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." Music critic Amanda Petrusich of The New Yorker has noted that Russell's work often "explores the intersection of personal trauma and collective healing," a theme that resonates deeply in this new project.

Russell's journey to this point has been marked by evolving artistic expressions. After initially establishing herself through collaborations with groups like Po'Girl, Birds of Chicago, and Our Native Daughters, she broke through as a solo artist with the darker, more personal 2021 album "Outside Child." In contrast, both "The Returner" and "In the Hour of Chaos" embrace a more joyful and collaborative spirit. The new album's track list is extensive, and Russell's 2026 tour itinerary includes opening sets for McLachlan followed by headline dates. Notable stops include venues like FirstBank Amphitheater in Franklin, TN (July 1), Forest Hills Stadium in New York (July 11), and the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles (August 4-5). The headline leg kicks off at The Orange Peel in Asheville, NC (October 15), and continues through Canada with performances at Massey Hall in Toronto (October 22) and the Winspear Centre in Edmonton (November 5), among others. Massey Hall, a 2,765-seat venue that opened in 1894, has hosted everyone from Neil Young to Gordon Lightfoot, making it a fitting stop for Russell's Canadian homecoming.