Renewal is the third solo studio album by American bluegrass musician Billy Strings, following Home. Released on September 24, 2021, the album peaked at number one on the Billboard Bluegrass Albums chart, making Renewal the second consecutive studio album by Billy Strings to do so.
The song "Red Daisy", one of the tracks on the album, was performed on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on October 25, 2021.
Overview and meaning The last track on the album, "Leaders", tackles the subject of human rights. Other tracks on the album, such as "In the Morning Light" and "Love and Regret", focus on the subject of love and relationships.
The lengthiest track on the album, "Hide and Seek", features a chorus with the last text messages one of Billy Strings’ friends sent to him before committing suicide.
Reception Matt Ruppert of No Depression stated "Though the musicality is the most automatically familiar part of Renewal, the songs themselves, built around Strings’ yearning vocals, stand up to and even match the exploratory music."
It was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Bluegrass Album.
Track listing
Personnel The Band Billy Strings – guitar, vocals, mandolin, piano, synth, guitjo (guitar banjo), bass drum, bells, chimes Billy Failing – banjo, vocals, piano Jarrod Walker – mandolin, vocals, guitar Royal Masat – bass, vocals Additional musicians John Mailander – violin Spencer Cullum Jr. – pedal steel Grant Milliken – synth Jonathan Wilson – celesta, percussion, harpsichord, group vocals Ally Dale, Nate Flores, Steve York, Bill Orner – group vocals Technical Jonathan Wilson – producer Gary Paczosa – engineer (Sound Emporium), mixing Skyler Chuckry – assistant engineer (Sound Emporium) Grant Milliken – engineer (FiveStarStudios) Paul Blakemore – mastering Tyler Franz – cover photo Bill Orner – design concept and layout Jesse Faatz – photography
References