Brittany Howard announces her second solo album, WHAT NOW

13 October 2023, 16:00 | Written by Tyler Damara Kelly

(News)

(Brittany Howard)

Alabama Shakes' singer Brittany Howard has revealed the first material from her upcoming second solo album What Now, with the record's title track – which she describes as the "truest and bluest of all the songs" from the release.

“What Now” was written and produced by the five-time Grammy Award-winning Howard with co-production from Shawn Everett (Kacey Musgraves, SZA), with whom she's had a longstanding relationship since Alabama Shakes.

“It’s never my design to hurt anyone’s feelings," says Howard, "but I needed to say what was on my mind without editing myself. I like how it’s a song that makes you want to dance, but at the same time the lyrics are brutal.”

The accompanying video was directed by Danilo Parra – best known for his work with A$AP Rocky. The track is released via a limited-edition 7-inch shipping in December, with B-side “Meditation” including crystal singing bowls performed by Howard's friends Ramona Reid of The Frequency Center & Ann Sensing.

The album What Now is expected to drop early next year and is Howard's first for Island Records), promising a lean "into an exploration of retro future afroism". It's the follow-up to Jaime, her 2019 solo debut which earned seven Grammy nominations in four different genres, winning the award for Best Rock Song with “Stay High.”

Howard is also announcing headlining 2024 tour dates across the US and Canada, kicking off in Chicago on 6 February with dates with Becca Mancari supporting.