Sierra Hull, a two-time Grammy-nominated mandolin virtuoso and six-time recipient of the IBMA’s Mandolin Player of the Year award, is set to release her fifth studio album, A Tip Toe High Wire, on March 7, 2025. This album marks several significant milestones in Hull’s career: it is her first independently released project, her first self-produced album, and her first in five years.
The lead single, “Boom,” co-written with Adam Wright, exemplifies Hull’s artistic evolution. The track features complex musical arrangements with an uplifting message about overcoming life’s challenges. Built on funky, syncopated rhythms and blooming harmonies, the song’s arrangement peaks with an electric guitar duet that ventures into psychedelic territory before Hull’s mandolin leads the band home for a final, triumphant “Boom.”
Another standout track, “Come Out of My Blues,” showcases Hull’s collaboration with Pat McLaughlin and features vocals from bluegrass icon Tim O’Brien. The song is a conversational, high-spirited celebration of emerging from a period of sadness to notice the small, beautiful things around you, like birds singing. Hull’s innovative approach to the song includes a reworking of McLaughlin’s foundational idea, incorporating a more experimental old-time sound with split-tuned mandolin and clawhammer banjo.
The album features a variety of guest artists, including Béla Fleck, Aoife O’Donovan, Justin Moses, Lindsay Lou, and Ronnie Bowman, with Hull’s seasoned touring band providing a steadfast foundation throughout. The album’s title, A Tip Toe High Wire, reflects Hull’s ability to balance progressive exploration with her bluegrass heritage, embodying her journey of artistic growth and independence.
Hull’s decision to release this album independently and self-produce it alongside longtime collaborator Shani Gandhi signifies a new chapter in her career, offering her the freedom to create without the constraints of a label. This autonomy has allowed her to explore new musical territories while staying true to her roots.
A Tip Toe High Wire shows Sierra Hull’s evolution as an artist, blending her mastery of the mandolin with her innovative songwriting and collaborations. The album promises to be a significant contribution to the bluegrass and acoustic music scenes, highlighting Hull’s versatility and commitment to her craft.
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