A soulful masterstoke from the Alabama Shakes-er – ‘what now’ finds Brittany Howard dealing multiple modes: hip-flinging funk, devastating vocal gymnastics, sultry guitar licks, and hosting a dancefloor spectacular – all of which she manages to blend seamlessly despite their seemingly incongruent paths.
“[on this record], every song is its own aquarium, its own little miniature world built around whatever i was feeling and thinking at the time”. “with the world we’re living in now, it feels like we’re all just trying to hang onto our souls. everything seems to be getting more extreme and everyone keeps wondering, ‘what now? what’s next?’” – Brittany Howard
Brittany Howard found escapism from the strife of the outside world in the making of her second album What Now, the title reflecting the ever-present question she felt following the seemingly increasing chaos in recent years. Hence, in such a tumultuous world, the Alabama Shakes frontwoman created a piece of work where the only predictable element is her unpredictability, each track “its own aquarium, its own little miniature world built around whatever I was feeling and thinking at the time”, the singer-songwriter explains. As ever, Howard’s cavernous, soulful, venue-filling vocals are a standout, accompanied by polyrhythmic drumming and funk guitar – a sonic rallying cry perfect for an album in which she espouses for us to retain our souls.
The Fat Angel Sings 