Russell, Allison / Returner, The
| Album: | Returner, The | Collection: | A-File | |
| Artist: | Russell, Allison | Added: | Feb 2024 | |
| Label: | Fantasy Records | |||
A-File Activity
| Add Date: | 2024-03-03 | Pull Date: | 2024-05-05 |
|---|
| Week Ending: | Apr 21 | Apr 14 | Apr 7 | Mar 31 | Mar 24 | Mar 17 | Mar 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airplays: | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
Recent Airplay
| 1. | Apr 26, 2024: | KZSU Time Traveler
Stay Right Here |
4. | Apr 19, 2024: | KZSU Time Traveler
Stay Right Here |
|
| 2. | Apr 23, 2024: | Traditions
Eve Was Black |
5. | Apr 16, 2024: | Traditions
Stay Right Here |
|
| 3. | Apr 20, 2024: | Music Casserole
Stay Right Here |
6. | Apr 13, 2024: | Music Casserole
The Returner |
Album Review
Francis D
Reviewed 2024-02-22
Reviewed 2024-02-22
“The Returner” Allison Russell
Allison Russell’s sophomore release. Weaves blues, gospel, roots and jazz into ten “genre-fluid” tracks. Following the raw, cathartic storytelling in her “Outside Child” debut, this is a truly joyful celebration—a testament to her strength and resilience. Russell’s vocals are exquisite, supported by what she calls her “Rainbow Coalition” ensemble of singers. Russell also plays jazz clarinet on a handful of the tracks, as well as the banjo. The arrangements are full and rich, with piano, synth, guitar and strings. RIYL: Lana Del Rey, Kara Jackson, Yola, Pointer Sisters.
— Francis
Highly recommended: 6, 5, 2, 10, 4, 3. No FCCs detected.
1. (4:11) Springtime — Deliberately paced, lighthearted opener. Starts with strings, laughter and a choir. Builds into a fully orchestrated jazzy number.
2. (3:51) The Returner — Soulful, bluesy and joyous. Gospel choir. Lovely strings. Lap steel guitar added in the lead break. ****
3. (3:13) All Without Within — Uplifting groove. Fun, syncopated beat. Synths and guitar. Highly danceable Philly soul feeling. **
4. (4:29) Demons — Sassy, gospel-like revival track. With rich harmonies, it’s reminiscent of jazzy, soulful Pointer Sisters compositions. ***
5. (6:04) Eve Was Black — Grammy-winner for best American roots performance. Russell’s picked banjo over a dynamic soundscape with a persistent beat, which begins spare and builds throughout. Dramatic shift with about a minute left to a banjo-forward trail-out, with French vocals. ****
6. (4:10) Stay Right Here — Thumping, bumping beat, piano, strings and energetic, engaging vocals. Very radio-friendly. The first single. ****
7. (4:13) Shadowlands — Spirited, swaying and soulful with harmonized vocals, piano, guitar and synths.
8. (3:04) Rag Child — Another gospel tune with choir-like vocals and standout piano, set to a steady beat.
9. (4:38) Snakelife — Halting and a bit ominous. Walking rhythm with the bass and drums working in tandem. Tinkling piano and effects in lead break.
10. (6:14) Requiem — Gloriously hopeful, acoustic anthem. An affirmation. Marvelous harmonies. A hint of piano and synth. Lovely, sweeping washes of sound. ***
Allison Russell’s sophomore release. Weaves blues, gospel, roots and jazz into ten “genre-fluid” tracks. Following the raw, cathartic storytelling in her “Outside Child” debut, this is a truly joyful celebration—a testament to her strength and resilience. Russell’s vocals are exquisite, supported by what she calls her “Rainbow Coalition” ensemble of singers. Russell also plays jazz clarinet on a handful of the tracks, as well as the banjo. The arrangements are full and rich, with piano, synth, guitar and strings. RIYL: Lana Del Rey, Kara Jackson, Yola, Pointer Sisters.
— Francis
Highly recommended: 6, 5, 2, 10, 4, 3. No FCCs detected.
1. (4:11) Springtime — Deliberately paced, lighthearted opener. Starts with strings, laughter and a choir. Builds into a fully orchestrated jazzy number.
2. (3:51) The Returner — Soulful, bluesy and joyous. Gospel choir. Lovely strings. Lap steel guitar added in the lead break. ****
3. (3:13) All Without Within — Uplifting groove. Fun, syncopated beat. Synths and guitar. Highly danceable Philly soul feeling. **
4. (4:29) Demons — Sassy, gospel-like revival track. With rich harmonies, it’s reminiscent of jazzy, soulful Pointer Sisters compositions. ***
5. (6:04) Eve Was Black — Grammy-winner for best American roots performance. Russell’s picked banjo over a dynamic soundscape with a persistent beat, which begins spare and builds throughout. Dramatic shift with about a minute left to a banjo-forward trail-out, with French vocals. ****
6. (4:10) Stay Right Here — Thumping, bumping beat, piano, strings and energetic, engaging vocals. Very radio-friendly. The first single. ****
7. (4:13) Shadowlands — Spirited, swaying and soulful with harmonized vocals, piano, guitar and synths.
8. (3:04) Rag Child — Another gospel tune with choir-like vocals and standout piano, set to a steady beat.
9. (4:38) Snakelife — Halting and a bit ominous. Walking rhythm with the bass and drums working in tandem. Tinkling piano and effects in lead break.
10. (6:14) Requiem — Gloriously hopeful, acoustic anthem. An affirmation. Marvelous harmonies. A hint of piano and synth. Lovely, sweeping washes of sound. ***
Track Listing
| 1. | Springtime | 6. | Stay Right Here | |||
| 2. | The Returner | 7. | Shadowlands | |||
| 3. | All Without Within | 8. | Rag Child | |||
| 4. | Demons | 9. | Snakelife | |||
| 5. | Eve Was Black | 10. | Requiem |