The Returner finds Allison Russell expanding on the artistic breakthrough of her Grammy-nominated debut Outside Child, deepening her exploration of resilience, healing, and joy with the confidence of an artist who's found her voice. This sophomore album earned four Grammy nominations including Best Americana Album and won Best American Roots Performance for "Eve Was Black." Russell's clarinet, banjo, and voice weave through arrangements that blend folk, blues, gospel, and soul into something that defies easy categorization while remaining immediately accessible.

Russell's journey—from childhood abuse in Montreal to becoming one of Americana's most vital voices—informs every note without overwhelming the music's fundamental optimism. Her work with Our Native Daughters exploring African American contributions to banjo music, her collaborations with Rhiannon Giddens and Amythyst Kiah, and her Birds of Chicago partnership with husband JT Nero all feed into The Returner's rich tapestry. The album proves that the healing documented in Outside Child wasn't a one-time event but an ongoing process, with each song adding new dimensions to her testimony. The CD format includes complete lyrics and liner notes that illuminate Russell's creative process.

CD. Fantasy Records. Released 2023. Four Grammy nominations, one win. Follow-up to Grammy-nominated Outside Child. Features "Eve Was Black."