Alison Krauss & Union Station Return With ‘Arcadia’ on 28 March
Country and bluegrass fans rejoice – Alison Krauss & Union Station are back with their first album in 14 years. Titled ‘Arcadia’, the highly anticipated release lands on 28 March is entirely self-produced by the band. Featuring ten tracks that weave timeless storytelling with contemporary reflections, ‘Arcadia’ serves as a powerful reminder of why Krauss and her band remain among the most revered names in country and bluegrass music.
Despite a prolonged period of individual successes – spanning solo projects, collaborations with industry legends, and a staggering combined total of over 70 Grammy Awards – the group never lost sight of their roots. Over the years, they have carefully selected songs that would eventually reunite them in the studio, leading to the creation of ‘Arcadia’.
The album largely features songs penned by modern songwriting masters such as Robert Lee Castleman, Viktor Krauss, Bob Lucas, JD McPherson and Sarah Siskind. However, it was one particular track that sparked the band’s reunion. ‘Usually, I find something that’s a first song, and then things fall into place,’ Krauss shares. ‘That song was ‘Looks Like The End Of The Road.’ Jeremy Lister wrote it, and it just felt so alive – and as always, I could hear the guys already playing it.’ This lead single, which also serves as the album’s opening track, is available now for streaming and pre-order.
Following the immense success of their 2011 album ‘Paper Airplane’, which debuted at #1 on the Billboard Country, Bluegrass and Folk Charts, ‘Arcadia’ expands upon the signature sound that has earned Alison Krauss & Union Station worldwide acclaim. The album was recorded in Nashville and introduces a new member to the group – celebrated vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Russell Moore. Known as the frontman of the award-winning bluegrass band IIIrd Tyme Out, Moore joins Alison Krauss (fiddle, lead vocals), Jerry Douglas (Dobro, lap steel, vocals), Ron Block (banjo, guitar, vocals) and Barry Bales (bass, vocals) to form a formidable lineup.
Speaking about the album’s themes, Krauss reflects, ‘The stories of the past are told in this music. It’s that whole idea of “in the good old days when times were bad.” There’s so much bravery and valor and loyalty and dreaming, of family and themes of human existence that were told in a certain way when our grandparents were alive. Someone asked me, “How do you sing these tragic tunes?” I have to. It’s a calling. I feel privileged to be a messenger of somebody else’s story. And I want to hear what happened.’
The release of ‘Arcadia’ also marks a reunion with Rounder Records founders Ken Irwin, Marian Leighton Levy, Bill Nowlin and John Virant, who originally signed Krauss when she was just 14 years old. Now at the helm of Down The Road Records, their ongoing collaboration is a testament to a creative partnership that has stood the test of time.
To coincide with the album’s launch, Alison Krauss & Union Station will embark on the ‘Arcadia 2025 Tour’, their first in over a decade. Spanning 75 dates across North America and featuring Jerry Douglas, the tour has already seen an overwhelming demand, with most dates selling out almost immediately.
For UK fans, while there are no official UK tour dates yet, the return of Alison Krauss & Union Station is a reason for celebration. With ‘Arcadia’ set to captivate listeners once more, the hope remains that the band will bring their stunning new music across the Atlantic in the near future.
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