Rhiannon Giddens will release her seventh album, “Hope Is the Thing With Feathers,” on September 18. The Americana artist calls the project a culmination of her two-decade career in roots music, bringing together longtime collaborators for a live studio recording in Louisiana.
What happened
Giddens announced the new album and released its first single, “Carolina Rain,” on Thursday. She wrote and recorded the uplifting ballad with her longtime musical partner, Dirk Powell.
The album title draws inspiration from poet Emily Dickinson. Giddens describes the record as a punctuation point for her roots and Americana work.
She hints that a different musical direction might follow. For now, she wanted to create a celebratory record.
Giddens gathered musicians who have played with her since her days co-founding the Carolina Chocolate Drops. The group recorded a mix of original songs and folk classics live in a Louisiana studio.
The sessions feature fiddles, accordions, guitars, and Giddens playing the minstrel banjo. Giddens stated she wants to fight the world’s current troubles with joy and kindness.
She noted the contrast between her beautiful feelings and the horrible nature of current global events.
Why it matters
Giddens operates as a central figure in American roots music. She has spent 20 years elevating traditional folk, old-time music, and Americana.
This album serves as a massive reunion of her key collaborators. Guests include fiddler Justin Robinson, who co-founded the Carolina Chocolate Drops with Giddens.
Robinson and Giddens recently collaborated on a duo project last year. That Grammy-nominated album, “What Did the Scarecrow Say to the Crow,” featured old-time songs recorded entirely outdoors.
Italian multi-instrumentalist Francesco Turrisi also joins the new studio lineup. He and Giddens previously won a Grammy for Best Folk Album with 2021’s “They’re Calling Me Home.
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The roster extends to Congolese guitarist Niwel Tsumbu, percussionist Charly Lowry, and longtime bassist Jason Sypher.
Giddens also brought in family members to round out the studio band. Her sister Lalenja Harrington provides vocals, and her nephew Justin Harrington plays the bones.
Powell’s daughter Amelia Powell contributes acoustic guitar.
The catch
Giddens suggests this album marks the end of a specific era in her career. She explicitly calls it a culmination of her time as a strict roots artist.
While she promises joy on this record, her comments hint at a pivot away from traditional Americana. She has already explored other genres, including composing an opera.
Fans expecting her to stay strictly within the folk tradition may see a sharp shift in her next projects.
What to verify
The exact tracklist and the ratio of original songs to folk standards remain pending.
It is unclear if Giddens will announce a supporting tour featuring this large ensemble of studio musicians.
Observers will also watch for official details regarding the new musical direction she teased for future releases.
Source trail
News of the album announcement, the single release, and interview excerpts originated from Variety.
