Alabama Shakes Rise From Hiatus With New Album

Alabama Shakes are set to release their new album, "I Must Be Dreaming," on August 28th, marking their return after more than a decade. The band, known for albums like "Boys & Girls" and the Grammy-nominated "Sound & Color," had been on hiatus since 2017.

Their reunion was unplanned, beginning with a surprise appearance at a benefit concert for a Tuscaloosa brewery that supported them in their early years. This one-off gig ignited a renewed chemistry, leading the members back into the studio.

Singer Brittany Howard described the hiatus as a "long break" for personal exploration and family, rather than a permanent split. She noted her own creative journey with two solo albums and various projects, including voicing a character in "Thelma the Unicorn."

Back together, Howard embraced a less controlling songwriting process, allowing for more collaboration and spontaneity with bandmates Zac Cockrell and Heath Fogg. This shift resulted in six new songs during their initial studio sessions, forming the core of "I Must Be Dreaming."

The album's themes explore love, time, tension, and resistance, with songs like "How Love's Supposed to Go" and "Another Life" offering unconventional perspectives on relationships. Tracks such as "American Dream" and "Tea Time" confront contemporary political conditions with introspection and a call for wisdom.

The band plans to embark on a full-scale tour starting in summer 2025, following the album's release. Howard is also scheduled to perform at the Power to the People Festival on October 3rd.