Alabama Shakes Continue Comeback with Confirmation of New Music

Following a surprise comeback show in 2024, Alabama Shakes are bringing their reunion into the new year, with confirmation of new music.

The band confirmed their intentions to return with new music in a post shared to Instagram on Monday (Jan. 27).

The series of photos shows the band – including vocalist and guitarist Brittany Howard, bassist Zac Cockrell, and lead guitarist Heath Fogg – in the studio with producer Shawn Everett, who mixed and engineered their last album, 2015’s Sound & Color. “Working on some exciting stuff!” the group wrote in the accompanying caption.

The band went on hiatus in 2018, with Howard soon embarking upon a solo career that resulted in the release of 2019’s Jamie, which peaked at No. 13 on the Billboard 200. Her second solo album, What Now, would arrive in February 2024.

Alabama Shakes first formed in Athens, Alabama in 2009, with two albums – Boys & Girls and Sound & Color – arriving in 2012 and 2015, respectively. Their second album would chart atop the Billboard 200 and win them three Grammys, including Best Alternative Music Album, and Best Rock Song and Best Rock Performance for “Don’t Wanna Fight”.

The group reunited for a benefit concert in Tuscaloosa, Alabama in December 2024, though drummer Steve Johnson was absent from this performance. Johnson had previously been arrested in March 2021 after being indicted on charges of abuse of a child, though they were later dismissed in December of that year. Johnson was also absent from the recent photos shared by Alabama Shakes, so it’s currently unknown whether he will be involved in their new era.

In November 2024, Howard also announced the debut of a new hardcore band called KUMITE. The group made their live debut in Nashville on Jan. 12, though no further details have arrived in regard to further shows or potential recorded material.