RISSI PALMER: REVIVAL
★★★★½
[Self-released; Oct. 22]
AN EVENING OF SOUL & SONG WITH RISSI PALMER AND THE SALLIE B. HOWARD VOCAL ENSEMBLE
Monday, Nov. 18, 6:30 p.m., $20–$30
C. Grace, Raleigh
Rissi Palmer’s new album, Revival, seamlessly blends nuances of country, R&B, jazz, and gospel. After building much of her success in Nashville, Palmer added just the right amount of soul to her signature countrified sound by recording Revival at Deep Sound Studio in Durham with a host of local artists and musicians, including the renowned trumpet player Al Strong.
Palmer leads the album with powerful protest anthem “Seeds,” which challenges racism, police brutality, and mass incarceration. It’s followed directly by the rousing “Breathe In, Breathe Out.” Both songs move beyond calling out problems as Palmer outlines the emotional burden and labor propelled by hatred and bias.
At its core, Revival is eight tracks of pure inspiration for navigating love, racial tensions, self-acceptance, and, above all, perseverance. Palmer’s vulnerability is the album’s core strength: On “You Were Here,” she sings about an experience with a miscarriage and the grief that followed: “You were gone before I had a chance to prepare for your arrival / It was over, it was final / People say that it’s for the best and I’ll get over all the sorrow / But I’ll never let you go.”
Miscarriage remains a culturally taboo topic, and the first few lines strikingly depict the hidden challenges that many women face in that situation, including other people’s discomfort with grief.
On “Little Black Girl, Little Black Boy,” which features Brian Owens, Palmer’s direct, unapologetic approach shows up again. In a world where people of color are disproportionately targeted, it’s a timely love letter to Black children around the world.
The album ends with its title track, a gospel-esque song that serves as an apt synopsis of the album. Palmer, with her powerhouse vocals, asks, “How did we get so confused … we’re lost without you, whole wide worth is starving for the truth.” On this album, Palmer succeeds at feeding fans a timely dose of it.
music@indyweek.com