Culture 4 min read By Lauren Baxter
Brittany Howard on Alabama Shakes’ Reunion and New Album «I Must Be Dreaming»
Brittany Howard discusses the unlikely chain of events that reunited Alabama Shakes after a decade, leading to the band’s third album «I Must Be Dreaming,» in a new podcast interview.
Brittany Howard has opened up about the unexpected reunion of Alabama Shakes, the band she fronts, which has returned after a decade away with a new album titled «I Must Be Dreaming.» In a recent podcast conversation, Howard detailed the improbable series of events that brought her back together with bandmates Zac Cockrell and Heath Fogg, a reunion that fans had long given up hoping for.
The band, which rose to prominence in the early 2010s with a blend of Southern rock, soul, and garage grit, went on an extended hiatus as Howard pursued a successful solo career. Now, with the third Alabama Shakes album on the horizon, Howard explained how the creative spark was reignited. She described the process as organic, emerging from casual conversations and a shared sense that the time was right to make music together again.
«I Must Be Dreaming» marks a significant moment for the group, which has not released a full-length record since 2015’s critically acclaimed «Sound & Color.» That album won multiple Grammy Awards and cemented the band’s place in modern rock. The new project arrives at a moment when Howard has been vocal about finding hope and meaning in a fractured cultural landscape, a theme she says threads through the new material.
During the interview, Howard reflected on how the band’s dynamic has evolved over the years. She noted that the members have grown individually, bringing new perspectives and influences back into the collective. The reunion, she suggested, was not about recapturing past glory but about exploring where the band could go next, with a maturity that comes from time apart.
The podcast also touched on Howard’s broader artistic philosophy. She spoke about the importance of staying grounded in a chaotic industry and how music serves as a tool for connection and resilience. Her comments come as Alabama Shakes prepares to reintroduce itself to audiences, with fans eagerly awaiting tour dates and further details about the album’s release.
Alabama Shakes originally formed in Athens, Alabama, and quickly gained a reputation for explosive live performances. Howard’s powerful vocals and the band’s raw, analog sound drew comparisons to classic rock and soul acts while carving out a distinct identity. The group’s debut album, «Boys & Girls,» was released in 2012 and was followed by extensive touring alongside major acts.
The reunion news has generated significant buzz in the music world, with many seeing it as a bright spot in a year marked by uncertainty. Howard’s candid discussion of the band’s return offers fans a glimpse into the personal and creative decisions that shaped the new record. As she put it, the project feels like a new chapter, one built on trust, friendship, and a shared love for making noise.
With «I Must Be Dreaming» set to introduce Alabama Shakes to a new generation while satisfying longtime listeners, Howard’s podcast appearance provides the most detailed look yet at what brought the band back together. The album promises to blend the familiar fire of the group’s earlier work with the sonic experimentation Howard has explored in her solo projects.
