Brittany Howard, lead vocalist of Alabama Shakes, reflects on the band’s evolution and their forthcoming album, I Must Be Dreaming, set for release on August 28 through Island Records. The album marks a stylistic shift for the trio, moving away from their signature retro soul sound toward a more ethereal blend of R&B, rock, and atmospheric tones.

Howard, bassist Zac Cockrell, and guitarist Steve Johnson formed Alabama Shakes during high school in Limestone County, Alabama, though they initially did not know each other well. Howard first approached Cockrell after noticing his At the Drive-In T-shirt and sharing her early music with him. The group bonded through diverse influences ranging from rock and punk to classic R&B artists like Dionne Warwick and Motown legends.

The band’s rise to prominence in the early 2010s was marked by extensive touring in local venues, often supporting acts such as Drive-By Truckers and Jack White. Howard attributes the band’s early success to a unique collaboration between major labels and emerging streaming platforms during that period, which helped launch their career. However, by 2017, with growing family responsibilities in two band members’ households, Alabama Shakes decided to take a break to focus on personal well-being.

During the hiatus, Howard pursued solo projects, releasing the acclaimed albums Jaime in 2019 and What Now in 2024, while balancing the demands of everyday life. Jaime was a tribute to her late sister, who died from retinoblastoma, a disease Howard herself survived but which left her partially blind in one eye. Howard has described the incident as casting a long shadow over her family, but also inspiring her creativity.

The band’s journey faced further challenges when original drummer Steve Johnson received a suspended sentence in 2020 for violating a domestic violence protection order and faced subsequent but dropped charges related to child abuse. Following these events, the band re-formed without Johnson.

Howard says her experiences have deepened her perspective and patience. In discussing the themes of her new work, she highlights songs like “I Feel Hope Coming” and “American Dream” as reflections on social justice, unity, and the desire for a better future. She expresses optimism that growing public outrage over inequality and division can lead to meaningful dialogue and change.

“I see people finally pointing the finger at those causing strife and saying, ‘Let’s do something about it,’” Howard said. Bassist Zac Cockrell echoed this sentiment, describing hope as a catalyst for action.

The upcoming album explores both personal and societal complexities, reflecting the band’s growth over a decade. Howard notes that while the group members are older and more experienced, they continue to embrace unpredictability in their music. The lead single, “Another Life,” blends R&B with rock and centers on themes of relationship endings and the possibility of renewal in another life, a concept Howard suggests resonates with the band’s own unexpected reunion.

As Alabama Shakes prepares to introduce fans to their new sound, Howard remains grounded by her roots and life experiences. Raised in a mixed-race family with a white mother and Black father who separated when she was eight, Howard grew up in a slow-paced rural environment surrounded by “pastures, little birds, and wildfires.” Her journey from drummer to soulful frontwoman reflects both her musical versatility and the depth of her personal history.