Hello! 😊👋
Welcome to a new edition of the Best Music of All Time newsletter!
Today’s music pick is the latest from award-winning singer/songwriter, a fiery reminder of her boundless talent.
Genre: R&B, Alternative
Label: Island
Release Date: February 9, 2024
Vibe: 😮💨
Since Alabama Shakes announced their hiatus in 2018, Brittany Howard’s virtuosic abilities as a singer, guitarist, songwriter, and composer have vaulted her into the stratosphere of alternative music. Her 2019 solo debut, Jaime, earned her seven Grammy nominations and more than a few passing comparisons to Prince. The latter distinction comes into much sharper focus on her impressive follow-up, What Now, a genre-bending sonic odyssey that’s as compelling as it is messy.
Like the Purple One, she’s just as apt to build a funky track around an undeniable pop hook as she is to wring every last drop of drama out of a low-key, jazz-inspired ballad. All that said, this release isn’t a pale imitation of an otherworldly talent—as a sophomore statement, it proves that Howard’s eye-opening debut was far from a fluke.
The slower, spacier moments on What Now gave me chills. The ballad mentioned above, “Samson,” is a masterclass in shape-shifting. Her vocals, enhanced by some deft effects work, absolutely soar over the minimalist, piano-driven groove. The lyrics also demonstrate growth since her last solo outing, illustrating anguish and uncertainty in decisive, vivid strokes (“I know I’m not the person you were introduced to/And it’s getting harder not to disappoint you”).
“Patience” harkens back to the sexier side of late-70s Prince, while the ferocity of the closing one-two punch of “Power To Undo” and “Every Color in Blue” will knock you to your knees with their sheer force if you’re not careful. The eponymous lead single is the track most representative of Howard’s crossover appeal, wrapping that same intensity in a lithe backbeat and some spiky blaxploitation guitar.
As a total package, this album and the artist at its core will surely garner serious consideration during the next awards season cycle.
👉 Don’t forget to click the album image to stream the album on your favorite platform 👈