This next record from Alison Krauss & Union Station can’t get here soon enough.
Back in December, the legendary bluegrass group announced a massive nationwide tour for 2025, and in January they followed that news up with an even bigger announcement that there’s new music on the way as well.
Set to be released at the end of the month on March 28, Alison Krauss & Union Station’s next record is titled Arcadia and will mark the 7th studio album in their catalog, and more notably, their first in album in 14 years. Featuring 10 tracks, the band released the project’s lead single “Looks Like the End of the Road” in January, and has now followed that up with another brand new track titled “Granite Mills.”
A traditional bluegrass cover, “Granite Mills” features intricate instrumentation from the band, and with the newest member Russell Moore on vocals, it tells the ominous story of a fatal mill fire. In a press release circulated by the band’s team at Shore Fire Media, Krauss shared insight as to how Moore joined the band and ended up on vocals for this track.
“Jerry, Ron, Barry, and I all met when Dan Tyminski left the band, and Jerry asked me, ‘What do you think?’ I said, ‘Russell Moore,’ and they all said, ‘Absolutely!’ I couldn’t believe it when we went into the studio and his voice came through the speakers.
He just stands there and sings with his hands in his pockets, and he kills it. The first song he did was ‘Granite Mills’ and about 10 minutes in, Ron was covering his mouth because he started giggling. Russell came in and inspired us all.”
High praise for Moore here from Krauss, who has one of the best female voices in country music history herself. Check out “Granite Mills” here:
From the release of their first album Two Highways in 1989 up until Paper Airplane in 2011, Alison Krauss & Union Station made a name for themselves on the road and released six critically acclaimed studio records and a live album. Each member, including Krauss, maintained solo careers and roles in other bands over the years, but even during the 14 year hiatus from releasing new music, Union Station remained one of the preeminent bands the bluegrass scene has ever seen.
In addition to front-woman and fiddler Krauss and new addition Moore on mandolin/vocals, the Union Station band that is responsible for the new single and upcoming record also consists of long-time members Jerry Douglas (dobro, lap steel, vocals), Ron Block (banjo, guitar, vocals), and Barry Bales (bass, vocals).
During their time apart, the band members collectively garnered 70 Grammy nomination for their separate endeavors, and perhaps most notably, Krauss teamed up with legendary Led Zeppelin frontman for the incredible Raise The Roof project in 2021.
Here is the full track list:
“Looks Like The End Of The Road” (Jeremy Lister)
“The Hangman” (Viktor Krauss & Maurice Ogden”
“The Wrong Way” (Robert lee Castleman & Dan Tyminski)
“Granite Mills” (Timothy Eriksen)
“One Ray Of Sunshine” (Sarah Siskind & Viktor Krauss)
“Richmond On The James” (Alison Krauss & G.T. Burgess)
“North Side Gal” (JD McPherson)
“Forever” (Robert Lee Castleman)
“Snow” (Bob Lucas)
“There’s A Light Up Ahead” (Jeremey Lister)
As I’ve already mentioned, Alison Krauss & Union Station are going to be touring heavily in 2025, so there is a great chance they’re coming to a city near you soon.
Beginning with two dates in Louisville, KY at The Louisville Palace on April 17-18, and culminating in late September at Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, FL, the Arcadia 2025 Tour includes 75 tour dates that see the band visiting 35 states and 4 Canadian provinces.
Former Old Crow Medicine Show founding member Willie Watson will play direct support for Union Station on the vast majority of these tour dates.
Check out the full list of tour dates below.
