A soothing testament to optimism in a time of despair. Allison Russell’s voice is a balm for trying times. She doesn’t mince words or sugarcoat, but she’ll spark some hope for a better future in the listener, and In the Hour of Chaos is a testament to her eternal optimism in the face of pain, fear, and despair. On the exuberant “Cold April,” Russell makes this plain: “Not enough bullets/Not enough guns/You can kill the bird, but not the birdsong.” The sentiment—that perseverance is possible, in spite of it all—carries throughout Chaos, as does Russell’s embrace of experimentation with jazz, neo-soul, bluegrass, and folk. A relationship becomes a sanctuary in “Really Real,” her duet with Norah Jones (“Who’s gonna be your shelter from the storm?”); in “Chaos Theory” with Kyshona and Sara Watkins, she is the sanctuary, or offers to be (“In the hour of despair, you’re gonna feel my love coming down”). “Two Stars” with Chibueze Ihuoma touches on the existential realities of the current moment, but still offers up words of encouragement: “The world is getting hotter, babe/Nothing’s getting better, babe/Look me in the eyes, come and keep it steady.” Russell is ready to stare down the calamities of modern life—and hold your hand in the process.