Rhiannon Giddens Hope Is the Thing with Feathers
Released Sep 18, 2026 Nonesuch
Consensus forming 3 professional reviews Updated Oct 3, 2026
Mostly positive consensus
Consensus is still forming across 3 professional reviews. Rhiannon Giddens's Hope Is the Thing with Feathers re-centers her Carolina roots in a collection that privileges quiet power over studio gloss, and critics largely agree the record succeeds on those terms.
How ChoruScore worksCritics' Top Tracks
The songs critics returned to most
Step Away Blues
2 critic mentions
“the down-home stomp of ‘Step Away Blues’, where Dirk Powell’s fiddle-playing is a joy to behold” — Hot Press
Angel Fire Rise
1 critic mention
“from the gospel flame of ‘Angel Fire Rise” — Hot Press
Carolina Rain
2 critic mentions
“A slight echo of You’re the One’s smooth assurance surfaces on her new record via “Carolina Rain.” — Pitchfork
Full critic consensus
Rhiannon Giddens's Hope Is the Thing with Feathers re-centers her Carolina roots in a collection that privileges quiet power over studio gloss, and critics largely agree the record succeeds on those terms. Across three professional reviews the album earned a 73.33/100 consensus score, with praise for its live-wired intimacy and minimalist production that foregrounds voice, fiddle and communal arrangements. Critics consistently point to the title track “Hope Is the Thing with Feathers” as the album's moral and tonal center, a piece that turns Emily Dickinson's words into a hymn of resilience.
Track Ratings
How critics rated each track, relative to this album (0-100). Only tracks that made critics feel something are rated.
Angel Fire Rise
Hope Is the Thing with Feathers
Step Away Blues
Wish in Vain
Carolina Rain
High on a Mountain
Freight Train
Walk with Me
Cluck Old Hen
Going Home
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What Critics Are Saying
Deep insights from 3 critics who reviewed this album
Critic's Take
Rhiannon Giddens leans into tradition and tenderness on Hope Is the Thing with Feathers, letting sparse arrangements highlight songs like “Step Away Blues” and “Carolina Rain”. Lockard writes with warm authority about Giddens’ ability to fuse originals and classics, noting how “Step Away Blues” showcases her range and Dirk Powell's cutting fiddle. The review casts “Carolina Rain” as jubilant and connective, and frames the title track as an emblem of faith and fortitude. Altogether the album’s brevity belies its depth, making the best tracks on Hope Is the Thing with Feathers feel both immediate and enduring.
Key Points
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“Step Away Blues” is the standout for its vocal range and Dirk Powell’s cutting fiddle.
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The album’s core strengths are its blend of reimagined folk classics and spare, emotionally direct arrangements.
Themes
Ho
Critic's Take
Rhiannon Giddens fashions Hope Is the Thing with Feathers as a live-wired celebration of American folk, and the reviewer's admiration is palpable in the way she makes songs breathe. The best tracks on the album are plainly “Angel Fire Rise” and “Step Away Blues”, with Dirk Powell's fiddle and a down-home stomp giving the latter real joy. The title piece “Hope Is the Thing with Feathers” is singled out too, putting Emily Dickinson’s poem to music with impressive results. Overall the record feels like eavesdropping on a small-room miracle, the collaborations and live takes making these the best songs on Hope Is the Thing with Feathers rather than studio polish.
Key Points
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The best song is driven by live intimacy and standout instrumental work, notably fiddle and guitar.
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The album's core strengths are live-recorded authenticity, collaboration, and reverence for folk tradition.
Themes
Critic's Take
Rhiannon Giddens frames Hope Is the Thing with Feathers as a homecoming, and the reviewer hears that return most clearly in “Carolina Rain” and the title track. The writing praises how “Carolina Rain” resembles a pop-leaning mile marker while retaining earthy production, and it points to “Hope Is the Thing with Feathers” as the album's tonal touchstone that summons strength. The account is measured and rooted in folk knowledge, noting Giddens' loose, live-band feeling and her knack for balancing originals with reimagined standards. This makes the best songs on Hope Is the Thing with Feathers those that fuse her Carolina past with widened musical collaborations, especially “Carolina Rain” and “Hope Is the Thing with Feathers”.
Key Points
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“Carolina Rain” stands out as a broad, pop-leaning mile marker that ties Giddens' explorations back to her Carolina roots.
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The album's core strengths are its live, loose band feel and the blending of originals with reimagined traditional songs.