Alison Krauss & Union Station Announce Forthcoming Record ‘Arcadia,’ Release New Music For First Time In 14 Years

HUGE news this week in the bluegrass world.

For the first time in 14 years Alison Kraus & Union Station have released new music and announced that a full record is on its way. Set to be released on March 28 via Down The Road Records, Arcadia will feature 10 brand new tracks, including the lead single released earlier this week, “Looks Like The End Of The Road.”

Written by Jeremy Lister, “Looks Like The End Of The Road” kicks off the record with a somber tone, yet showcases that Krauss’ vocals are still as impressive as ever. This tune was actually the catalyst that prompted Krauss and the band to reunite for the new record, as she explained in a press release circulated by her team at Shore Fire Media.

“Usually, I find something that’s a first song, and then things fall into place. That song was ‘Looks Like The End Of The Road.’ Jeremey Lister wrote it, and it just felt so alive – and as always, I could hear the guys already playing it.”

Check out Alison Krauss & Union Station’s brand new song “Looks Like The End Of The Road,” the lead single off of their forthcoming record Arcadia.

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.

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.

Krauss also shared her thoughts on the cohesive strength of the 10 tracks that will comprise the Arcadia record.

“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 someone else’s story. And I want to hear what happened.”

In addition to front-woman Alison Krauss who is the lead singer and plays fiddle, the Union Station band that is responsible for the new single and upcoming record consists of new member Russell Moore (vocals, guitar, mandolin), as well as long-time members Jerry Douglas (dobro, lap steel, vocals), Ron Block (banjo, guitar, vocals), and Barry Bales (bass, vocals).

Together, as they have proven collectively and continuously for nearly four decades, Alison Krauss & Union Station are a bluegrass forced to be reckoned with, and they have an innate ability to bring their songs to life in a way that few other musicians have been able to match.

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)

With this sort of songwriting power and the reunification of Alison Krauss’ transcendent vocals backed by the masterful instrumentation of Union Station, this album is bound to be something special. But as great as the recordings are going to be, bluegrass just always sounds even better live.

Luckily, as announced back in December, Alison Krauss & Union 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 Lousiville, 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.

Check out the full list of tour dates below.

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