Alabama Shakes tease new music for first time since 2015

(Credits: Alabama Shakes)

Tue 28 January 2025 10:45, UK

Alabama Shakes appear to be set to release their first new music in close to a decade. Following the band’s on-stage reunion last month, it looks as if the group have been in the studio.

In 2017, audiences at the Alabama Shakes set at Montreal’s Osheaga Festival likely didn’t know that they were witnessing the group’s last show for quite some time. As singer Brittany Howard began working on her solo album, Jaime, the group went on hiatus to allow her to focus on that while guitarist, Heath Fogg began working on his project, Sun on Shade.

However, that hiatus dragged on for quite some time. It wasn’t until last month that the band surprised audiences with a reunion at a benefit show in Tuscaloosa. At their first live concert in more than seven years, the group appeared to be announcing their comeback which now looks official rather than spontaneous.

Notably, their drummer, Steve Johnson, wasn’t present after he pleaded guilty to domestic violence and stalking in 2020. Instead, he was replaced by Ben Tanner at their recent reunion.

Without Johnson, the group are teasing new music, perhaps preparing to release their first material in a decade since their 2015 album Sound & Color. Sharing a photo of themselves in the studio, the band wrote, “Working on some exciting stuff!”

In the carousel of pictures, the group appear to be working with Shawn Everett, who won a Grammy in 2016 for his engineering work on Sound & Color. Having now stepped into the role of producer, it looks like the band is reuniting with him for whatever is coming next.

With no additional information, suggested release date or further insight, the next steps for the band are unknown. However, fans will be happy to know that it seems like Alabama Shakes are back on a permanent basis, and the reunion wasn’t merely a one-off.