Alabama Shakes Tease Long-Awaited New Music

Alabama Shakes, the critically acclaimed Southern blues-rock band, is making a return to the music scene with the promise of new material. This upcoming project marks their first new music in eight years, positioning it as a significant milestone in their career. The group has not released a full album since their Grammy-winning 2015 record, Sound & Color. Known for their soulful rock anthems, Alabama Shakes’ new venture is eagerly anticipated by fans who have waited almost a decade for fresh offerings from the band.

The band hinted at their musical comeback with Instagram posts featuring photos from the studio, coupled with the caption “Working on some exciting stuff!” This revelation has sparked excitement among fans and the music community, as it suggests the group is actively engaged in creating new material. The photos displayed the band’s lead singer and guitarist Brittany Howard, guitarist Heath Fogg, and bassist Zac Cockrell working together at Nashville’s renowned Sound Emporium with producer Shawn Everett. Everett’s involvement is particularly promising, given his previous collaborations with the band and Howard on her solo projects.

The Alabama Shakes’ reunion coincides with their announcement to perform at the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival in St. Paul in July. This will be their first announced performance in nearly eight years and is expected to draw significant attention. It signifies not just a musical comeback but also a return to live performances, which fans have eagerly anticipated since their surprise reunion show in Tuscaloosa in December last year. These developments strengthen the narrative of the band’s reassembly for a full-fledged resurgence in the music industry.

Historically, the band’s hiatus saw members pursuing separate projects, with Brittany Howard achieving success with her solo album Jaime and its follow-up, What Now. The absence of original drummer Steve Johnson, due to past legal issues, is a notable change in the band’s lineup. During performances and recording sessions, Ben Tanner, a longtime collaborator, took on the role of drummer, underscoring the evolving dynamics within the group. Despite these changes, the core of Alabama Shakes remains, as they continue to push forward and redefine their sound.

As they ready their new project, expectations are naturally high for the band to deliver something both familiar and fresh, reflecting their maturity and growth over the years. The music world eagerly watches as the band rekindles its creative spark and prepares to unveil its latest compositions.