Alabama Shakes Return: Brittany Howard on Fleeing Fame, Fighting Trump, and the Epic Comeback

Alabama Shakes, the blues-soul-rock band that exploded onto the scene in 2009, ended their indefinite hiatus in December 2024 with a surprise show in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The concert, a fundraiser for a friend’s struggling brewery, was a euphoric experience for guitarist Heath Fogg, who described it as “an out-of-body experience.” The band had stopped in 2017 after years of relentless touring left them physically and creatively exhausted.

In April 2026, the band released the single “American Dream,” which quickly went viral on TikTok and Instagram. The song addresses gun violence, the climate crisis, abortion rights, low wages, and even Donald Trump’s White House renovations. Brittany Howard calls it “a snapshot of 2026,” expressing hope that future generations will hear it and think, “Yeah, shit was crazy back then, but we made it through.”

The upcoming third album, “I Must Be Dreaming,” marks a radical departure from their earlier retro-soul sound. It is more ethereal and psychedelic, featuring songs about relationships, modern life’s pace, and the state of the country. The first single “Another Life” morphs from R&B into hazy rock with a euphoric chorus about second chances.

Howard reflects on her journey, including a brief marriage that ended within a year and the band’s decision to continue without original drummer Steve Johnson, who faced legal issues in 2020. She admits to enjoying normal tasks like cutting grass and scooping litter boxes after stepping away from the spotlight.

Despite the challenges, Howard feels hopeful. She sees Americans rejecting hate and division, coming together to demand accountability. “Outrage leads to protest which leads to people talking to each other,” she says. “To me, that’s hopeful.” The band’s European tour includes a show in Leeds, their first European gig in a decade.