At a time when it feels like every album must have a story, Ani DiFranco’s latest, Unprecedented Sh!t, dares to let the music speak for itself. With 22 records under her belt, the folk-feminist icon has always been known for her powerful narratives, but this time, she’s urging listeners to dive into her 23rd album without preconceived notions.

Unprecedented Sh!t is undeniably shaped by the times - addressing reproductive freedom, the dualities of the pandemic, identity, and evolving belief systems across its 11 tracks. Yet, DiFranco wants the album to be experienced as one cohesive piece. “I believe there is a rhyme and a reason as to why these songs have come together in this way now, and I want people to experience this album as a journey, a piece of art, without being influenced by a cacophony of surrounding narratives,” she emphasizes.

Breaking from her tradition of self-producing, DiFranco enlisted BJ Burton, the mastermind behind Bon Iver’s 22, A Million, for the album. This makes for a significant shift in her creative process, opening her music to new influences and different partners. Burton’s touch brings a fresh, expansive sound to DiFranco’s work, making Unprecedented Sh!t both a departure and an evolution for her.

The album’s title reflects not only its bold new sound but also as a commentary on today’s turbulent world. “We find ourselves in unprecedented times in many ways, faced with unprecedented challenges. So, our responses to them and our discourse around them need to rise to that level,” DiFranco states. The record is an exploration of these unprecedented times, blending her signature folk roots with contemporary, experimental production.

DiFranco’s willingness to collaborate and experiment signifies her growth as a writer. While she’s always been a lone wolf, like an artist in her own music industry, her recent openness to external influences has injected her work with fresh perspectives and sounds. As she continues to push all of us, both musically and politically, her voice is as vital and relevant as ever. With Unprecedented Sh!t she challenges us to rise to the occasion, just as she has, and confront the unprecedented times we live in without fear.