In today’s music world, every album needs a story, but after 22 records, Ani DiFranco’s work speaks for itself. Her upcoming album, Unprecedented Sh!t, covers themes like reproductive freedom, the pandemic, and evolving beliefs, spanning songs written over a decade. The album isn’t linear but carries DiFranco’s unmistakable spirit.

For her 23rd album, DiFranco wanted to avoid preconceived narratives. “I want people to experience this album as a journey, without being influenced by external noise,” she says. Unusually, she collaborated with producer BJ Burton, marking a departure from her typical self-produced approach. Together, they created soundscapes using only DiFranco’s voice and guitar, manipulated with effects. The album represents both a sonic shift and a social commentary, reflecting the unprecedented times we live in.

The lead single, “Baby Roe,” is inspired by The Family Roe: An American Story and explores abortion rights through an existential lens. Other tracks include “You Forgot to Speak,” a psych-folk meditation on patriarchal oppression, and “New Bible,” a rallying cry for a new world order.

With Unprecedented Sh!t, DiFranco delves into themes like the paradox of the pandemic in “Virus” and the exploitation of nature in “Spinning Room.” Songs like “More or Less Free” and “Boots of a Soldier” explore friendship, incarceration, and subjective realities.

The album’s heart lies in the final track, “The Knowing,” which reflects on selfhood and the illusion of identity. DiFranco’s 35-year career as a feminist icon and DIY pioneer continues to thrive, and Unprecedented Sh!t is another bold step in her artistic journey.