Brittany Howard has announced her second solo album, What Now, and released the music video for its title track. The song was co-produced by Howard and Shawn Everett. The action-filled video was directed by Danilo Parra. Watch it below.
“‘What Now’ is maybe the truest and bluest of all the songs,” Howard said in a statement. “It’s never my design to hurt anyone’s feelings, 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.”
Howard recorded What Now at the Sound Emporium and historic RCA Studio B in her hometown of Nashville. The album will be released via Island Records; a release date has yet to be announced. She’s also announced new 2024 tour dates, following dates later this year with L’Rain. Find Howard’s tour itinerary below.
“What Now” will also be issued as a limited-edition 7″ single with the original recording on Side A and a track called “Meditation” on Side B. “Meditation” features crystal singing bowls performed by Howard’s friends Ramona Reid (of the Frequency Center) and Ann Sensing.
The new album will be the Alabama Shakes singer-songwriter’s first solo effort since 2019’s Jaime. Howard won Best Rock Song at the 2021 Grammy Awards for Jaime’s “Stay High.”
Revisit Pitchfork’s 2019 interview “Brittany Howard on Her Solo Debut, Her Black Heroes, and Owning Her Greatness.”
Brittany Howard:
11-06 Birmingham, AL – Iron City *
11-07 Nashville, TN – Ryman Auditorium *
11-09 Knoxville, TN – Tennessee Theatre *
11-10 Memphis, TN – Minglewood Hall *
11-11 Atlanta, GA – The Eastern *
11-14 Houston, TX – House of Blues *
11-15 Dallas, TX – The Factory in Deep Ellum *
11-17 Mexico City, Mexico – Corona Capital Festival
02-06 Chicago, IL – Thalia Hall
02-09 Toronto, Ontario – Danforth Music Hall
02-12 Boston, MA – The Wilbur
02-16 New York, NY – Webster Hall
02-20 Washington, D.C. – 9:30 Club
02-23 Asheville, NC – The Orange Peel
* with L’Rain