Alison Krauss’ ‘Arcadia’ Is Dazzling and Worth the Long Wait

Alison Krauss hasn’t recorded with Union Station in 14 years—since Barack Obama’s first term, as Rolling Stone’s David Browne noted in his article announcing the act’s latest album, Arcadia. During this time, a lot has changed, including the departure of key Union Station member Dan Tyminski, who has been replaced by Russell Moore from IIIrd Tyme Out. Moore shares lead vocal duties with Krauss. The long-awaited reunion of Alison Krauss & Union Station comes after a particularly productive period for Krauss, during which she nurtured a successful solo career, highlighted by her collaborations with Robert Plant.

Despite the 14-year gap between Arcadia and the group’s previous release, Paper Airplane, Krauss and her collaborators haven’t missed a beat. While Tyminski is missed, Moore is a fantastic addition. Central to the record is Krauss’ extraordinary talent. Gifted with one of the purest and prettiest voices in popular music, Krauss infuses the songs with an ethereal elegance and beauty.

In contrast, Moore’s rich, emotive voice adds a nostalgic quality. Although their styles differ, both singers are exceptional storytellers, bringing life to the often somber narratives in the lyrics. “With a lot of these tunes, you hear these tragic stories, but they combined it with a beautiful melody and poetry,” Krauss said of the material. “It was how people got their true-life stories told, and I’m always drawn to the truth.”

When describing the music on Arcadia, Krauss expressed that it reflects “that whole idea of ‘in the good old days when times were bad’”. The songs tell tragic tales of heartache and loss. The top-notch instrumentalists create a lush, full sound that balances the polished sheen of contemporary music and the sparkling nostalgia of classic Americana. Moore’s contribution to Arcadia is a poignant reminder of a hallowed past, while Jerry Douglas‘ stunning dobro work stands out prominently.

Although Arcadia isn’t morose or bleak, a sense of sadness permeates these songs. In the poignant track “Granite Mills”, written by Timothy Erickson, Moore recounts the tragic Granite Mills fire that claimed the lives of over 20 workers, many of whom were child laborers. Erickson’s lyrics confront the tragedy with stark honesty, depicting the frantic attempts of the victims to escape. Krauss’ haunting trill on “Richmond on the James” reflects on the Civil War through the eyes of women affected by its impact.

In the reflective lament “Forever”, Krauss discovers an elegant beauty within the searching lyrics. She also brings a tender beauty to the simple poetry of “One Ray of Shine”, co-written by her brother Viktor. While Krauss shines throughout, Moore delivers some of the most memorable moments, such as in the lively Appalachian barnstormer “Snow”, which features beautiful harmony vocals and fantastic strings, contrasting its sad lyrics with a vibrant energy.

Perhaps Moore’s standout moment is the Southern gothic tale “Hangman”, a deceptively simple tribute to a small-town executioner. Moore’s haunting vocals enhance this unsettling song, which is conjured with dark imagery by Viktor Krauss and Maurice Ogden’s poignant poetry.

Given how wide and reaching Alison Krauss’ work has been in the interim between Union Station albums, it’s remarkable how warm and immediate their latest collaboration feels. It’s a credit to the act that this record doesn’t feel like a superstar vehicle with session players. It’s a meeting of minds, wildly creative professionals reunited to log yet another sterling work in their estimable discography.

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