Billy Strings – Renewal (2-LP Black Vinyl)

Released September 2021 on double black vinyl, Renewal finds Billy Strings pushing bluegrass into uncharted territory while honoring the tradition that made him a prodigy. Produced by Jonathan Wilson at his Fivestar Studios in California, the album captures Billy's band—Billy Failing (banjo), Royal Masat (bass), Jarrod Walker (mandolin)—at full power, balancing breakneck traditional playing with psychedelic exploration and jam band improvisation. Renewal earned Billy his second consecutive Grammy for Best Bluegrass Album, cementing his status as bluegrass's next-generation torchbearer. The album's 16 tracks range from traditionally-rooted instrumentals like "Fire Line" and "Hide and Seek" to the title track's introspective meditation on personal growth and recovery. "Love and Regret" became an instant fan favorite with its emotional depth and technical virtuosity, while "Show Me the Door" showcases Billy's ability to write songs that work both as standalone compositions and as vehicles for extended live improvisation. The production captures warmth and detail that digital formats miss, with acoustic instruments revealing every harmonic overtone and string bend. What makes Renewal significant is how it established Billy as more than just a fast picker—this is a songwriter with vision about where acoustic music can go. The album's themes of addiction, recovery, transformation, and hope resonated beyond the bluegrass festival circuit, introducing Billy to rock and jam band audiences who recognized a kindred spirit of exploration. This double LP pressing preserves the dynamics that make Renewal work: from whisper-quiet fingerpicking to full-band catharsis, all captured in analog warmth. Double LP black vinyl. Released September 2021. Grammy winner Best Bluegrass Album 2022. Produced by Jonathan Wilson at Fivestar Studios.