Tuesday, Jan. 17, folk singer-songwriter Ani DiFranco released her 17th studio album, entitled “¿Which Side Are You On?”It is her first studio album in over three years. Compared to DiFranco’s previous work, her new album has a far more mature sound. It is a less raucous and more subdued expression. The exception, however, is the title track.

The title track is a revised version of American activist Florence Reece’s song from 1931. The song was made famous by Pete Seeger, who joins DiFranco on the track, playing banjo and singing back-up vocals. The song is full of high-energyfunk and the rewritten lyrics are as politically charged as the lyrics on DiFranco’s earlier albums.

In addition to Pete Seeger, the title track features the Rivertown Kids on backing vocals and the Roots of Music Marching Crusaders on horns and drums. DiFranco is also joined on this album by long-time band-mates Allison Miller and Todd Sickafoose.

The lyrics in many of the other songs reflect DiFranco’s personal life. From mentions of DiFranco’s daughter Petah Lucia (born in 2007) on “Hearse,” to simple, elegant love song lyrics about DiFranco’s husband, Mike Napolitano (he and DiFranco were married in 2009) on “Albacore” and “Mariachi.”

DiFranco admits to her more personal and less political lyrics, writing “I’ve become more peaceful / no more fighting” on “Unworry.” However, she hasn’t gone completely soft in her songwriting, and tracks like “Amendment” are packed with the feminist ideals that DiFranco is famous for. And of course the rewritten lyrics on the title track also showcase DiFranco’s knack for writing with political purpose.

“I’m testing deeper waters with the political songs on this album…I guess I’ve been pushing my own boundaries of politics and art. Seeing what people have the ears to listen to,” said DiFranco while discussing the album on her website.

The album is dedicated to Buffalo, New York’s local folk music legend, Michael Meldrum, who passed away in 2011. DiFranco cites him as a huge influence on her music and songwriting. He was also her first guitar teacher. When DiFranco was growing up in Buffalo, Meldrum often showcased her at his open-mic nights along with many other young aspiring artists.

“¿Which Side Are You On?”delivers exactly the kind of lyricism and technical guitar work that DiFranco has always been known for, but also shows off the talents of the other musiciansfeatured on the disc. It is a stunning and understated work of musical brilliance that highlights DiFranco’s talent both as a musician and a songwriter.