Brittany Howard's 'What Now': A Cosmic Sound Journey

Brittany Howard's sophomore solo effort, "What Now," showcases a musically muscular and thematically rich exploration. Recorded during the pandemic, the album delves into existential subjects like a fractured love, a plea for peace, and impending depression. Its sound is characterized by a loose, brawny feel, blending diverse genres with a touch of stadium-sized showmanship.

"What Now" opens with delicate singing bowls and piano before erupting into a dynamic mix of soul, blues, funk, jazz, psychedelia, and house music. Howard's vocals are showcased through impeccable multitrack layering, moving between various styles with remarkable agility. The album's rhythm section, featuring Nate Smith and Zac Cockrell, provides a solid foundation for its genre-bending compositions.

Inspiration for "What Now" also draws from Maya Angelou's 1995 poem, "A Brave and Startling Truth," which serves as the album's midpoint. This interlude connects human existence to an imperative for freedom and equality, a theme Howard continues on "Another Day." The album concludes with "Every Color in Blue," a reflective track emphasizing the effort required to sustain hope and realize change.