I thought about how much grit and grace that she has as a human being to be able to come back from death, not once, but three times, and to relearn not just how to sing and play, but how to walk and talk.

Russell also noted that the lyrics of the album are less autobiographical than Outside Child, explaining "You can take deep dives on these songs if you want to, but you don't have to.

Russell stated that "the way that this record was born was so joyful and so intentional" in contrast to Outside Child where she struggled with feelings of denial, unworthiness and the fear of stepping forward and telling her own story, noting that "coming into this record, 'The Returner,' we've been for the last two years having people celebrating the music, and me finding my community and chosen family and a Rainbow Coalition circle growing bigger and bigger.

Russell explained that working with Lindsay on production helped to influence the more grooving tracks on the album, joking that "it was so much fun to kind of bust out of the roots ghetto that I sometimes get lost in.

It's winter solstice, this is an incredible, meaningful, deep, renewing time of year and here we are, sixteen women, three chosen brothers, we have six days and we're conjuring this thing together.

Russell described this as a fluid process, explaining "We were definitely giving each other feedback as we played in the studio, but the way I like to work is circle-work, it's not a hierarchy, it's not my way or the highway.

"[5] Discussing the title track, which was released alongside the album's announcement on June 6, 2023, Russell explained "My goal with The Returner – sonically, poetically, and spiritually – is a radical reclamation of the present tense, a real time union of body, mind, and soul.

For while an embrace of the present tense is a celebration, it is equally an unquestioning leap into battle – cultural, political, environmental.

It's about leaning into the fierce Survivor's Joy & the power of our worldwide rainbow coalition to reduce harm for all our children, for our planet, for all those yet to come.

It was described by Fantasy Records as "an urgent dancefloor gem" that channels Diana Ross, Gloria Gaynor and Roberta Flack.

[7] The album's third single, "Snakelife", was released on August 11, 2023, and was described as a "haunting meditation on transformation" and contains the lyrics which Russell has referred to as the album's thesis: "I used to dream, but now I write, I wield my words like spindles bright; To weave a world where every child Is safe and loved; And Black is beautiful and good.