All Of It — Jason Isbell: Foxes in the Snow (Listening Party)

Host: Alison Stewart (WNYC)
Guest: Jason Isbell
Date: February 20, 2026
Theme: An intimate exploration of Jason Isbell’s new solo acoustic album, Foxes in the Snow—his songwriting process, the emotional core of the record, its creation at Electric Lady Studios, and storytelling through music.

Episode Overview

This episode of All Of It centers on six-time Grammy winner Jason Isbell and his latest solo acoustic album, Foxes in the Snow. Host Alison Stewart guides an engaging conversation about Isbell’s return to solo work after a decade, the inspirations and intentions behind the new album, and the craft of songwriting. With listening sessions of select tracks, the discussion provides insight into Isbell’s creative process, his love for minimal arrangements, and the meaningful places and instruments that shaped the record.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Significance of Foxes in the Snow

• Return to Solo Roots: First solo project without the 400 Unit in 10 years; meant to be an entirely acoustic, solitary work.
• Thematic Focus: Reflections on heartbreak, loneliness, and love, with intentionally sparse arrangements to emphasize lyrics.

  “I wanted to start with this concept and continue it throughout.” — Jason Isbell (07:38)

Recording at Electric Lady Studios

• Choice of Studio: Electric Lady Studios in Greenwich Village, notable for its legacy and energy.
  • Isbell appreciates the studio’s atmosphere, sense of legacy, and how it challenges him to rise to the occasion.

    “I better do something that’s worth doing in this room…” (01:56)

  • There's a feeling of “living up to the room”—an almost haunted motivation.

    “Nashville studios have really intense ghosts if you’re a ghost in a studio kind of person.” (02:42)

The Songwriting Process

• Starting With What's Hardest: Isbell shares his philosophy of “doing the hardest song first” when recording—likening it to riding the scariest amusement park ride at his father’s insistence as a child.

  “The rest of the day was easy… I kind of do that in the studio.” (03:26)

• Arrangements: He aimed to write songs that start as solo pieces, not stripped-down versions of band tracks.
  • All songs were written and recorded on a single acoustic guitar (a pre-war Martin 0-17).
  • The guitar was specifically chosen for its intimacy and manageable presence, purchased from RetroFret in Brooklyn.

Notable Quote

“I think the… type of guitar that I’m playing when I’m writing a song will sometimes dictate the type of song that I’m writing.” (07:13)

The Martin 0-17 Guitar's Role

• Vintage, pre-war, and not originally expensive—a "budget guitar" with remarkable sound.
  • Martin has since made a signature edition inspired by Isbell’s model.
• Guitar choice influenced all of the album’s songs and their solo-acoustic nature.

Intention Behind the Sparse Sound

• Isbell wanted the record to be strong as a single, holistic acoustic work—not as a lesser version of a full band arrangement.
• Sought emotional impact from "tiny, tiny" music moments.

  “We forget sometimes that, you know, music doesn’t have to be so big. It can be a tiny, tiny little thing and still have the same kind of emotional impact.” (08:52)

Track-by-Track Insights

“Foxes in the Snow” (Title Track)

• Played as the episode introduction [00:54].
• A starting point for the album and a challenging song for Isbell to perform.

“Bury Me” (First Track)

• Begins a cappella by deliberate choice, rooted in Isbell’s childhood and family musical traditions.

  “Some of the people in my family were just singers…songs should work that way without any accompaniment whatsoever.” (09:22)

• Invokes old gospel and mountain music influences.

“Good While It Lasted”

• Isbell explains the song is a twist: “It’s not at the end of a relationship. It’s at the beginning.” (16:05)

Sequencing the Album

• Traditional sequencing (for vinyl, balancing instrumental elements) less relevant here due to the solo acoustic format.
• Instead, ordered tracks for key, tempo, and emotional variety—closer to creating a setlist for a live solo show.

  “This one was probably track listed a little bit more like a set list for a live show.” (12:56)

Evolution as a Writer

• As a young teenager, Isbell wrote “very horny stuff”—cringeworthy self-expression influenced by old southern blues.
• The big shift came with reading and narrative:
  • Influences include Wilson Rawls (Where the Red Fern Grows), Faulkner, Hemingway, Dean Koontz, Stephen King.

  “I started combining the two things that I loved the most—reading fiction and playing the guitar. That’s when something really clicked for me.” (14:36)

Performing Solo vs. With Band

• Solo Sets: Greater control over tempo and dynamics. Freedom to change pacing at will; less pressure to “orchestrate” the setlist like a rock show.

  “If it’s me solo acoustic, I can speed up and slow down intentionally, and that adds something really interesting…” (17:54)

• With the Band: More fun, allows for lead guitar play, camaraderie, musical communication.
  • Would miss both modes if he could only do one.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Studio Vibes:

  “You feel like, I better do something that’s worth doing in this room.” — Jason Isbell, on Electric Lady Studios (01:56)

• On Creative Challenges:

  “The hardest thing first and then get it over with.” (04:15)

• On Being a Teenage Songwriter:

  “Just very horny stuff. It was terrible. It was embarrassing.” (13:42)

• On the Role of Guitar:

  “The type of guitar I’m playing…will sometimes dictate the type of song that I’m writing.” (07:13)

• On Musical Restraint:

  “Music doesn’t have to be so big. It can be a tiny, tiny little thing and still have the same kind of emotional impact.” (08:52)

• On Performing Solo:

  “There’s a freedom to playing solo where I don’t feel like I have to orchestrate…the set list the same way.” (18:13)

• On Band vs. Solo:

  “Playing with the band is probably more fun…communicating with them musically is very rewarding for me.” (18:49)

Notable Song Timestamps

• [00:54] – Title track, “Foxes in the Snow”
• [10:18] – “Bury Me” (a cappella intro, then full track)
• [16:40] – “Good While It Lasted”

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:53] – Isbell on choosing Electric Lady Studios
• [03:26] – The first song recorded and his “do the hardest first” approach
• [05:52] – Story of the Martin guitar and its influence on the album
• [07:11] – Writing every song with the same guitar and conception of the album
• [09:13] – A cappella intro on “Bury Me” and family influences
• [11:37] – Sequencing an all-acoustic record
• [13:42] – Early songwriting and literary influences
• [16:05] – Meaning behind “Good While It Lasted”
• [17:47] – Comparing solo acoustic shows vs. full band setups

Episode Takeaways

Foxes in the Snow is a testament to Jason Isbell’s evolving artistry, stripped back to its essentials: voice, guitar, and narrative. This episode explores his motivations to “live up to the room," the conscious selection of tools and settings, and the personal experiences that fuel his craft. Both longtime fans and new listeners are granted intimate access to the mindset and music of one of today’s most thoughtful singer-songwriters.