Brittany Howard "What Now" (2024)

What Now

release date: Feb. 9, 2024

format: digital (12 x File, FLAC)

[album rate: 4 / 5] [3,86]

producer: Brittany Howard, Shawn Everett

label: Island - nationality: USA

Track highlights: 1. "Earth Sign" - 2. "I Don't" - 3. "What Now" - 4. "Red Flags" - 5. "To Be Still" - 8. "Prove It to You" - 9. "Samson" - 11. "Power to Undo" - 12. "Every Color in Blue"

2nd solo album by Brittany Howard is the more than four year old follow-up to Jaime (Sep. 2019). Bassist Zac Cockrell of Alabama Shakes is credited on this, just as he featured on her solo debut, which also counts drummer Nate Smith as recurring musician. The album was generally made with only a handful of performers, which include the two keyboardists, Lloyd Buchanan and Paul Horton, and aside from these four only guitarist Brad Williams and trumpeter Rod McGaha feature on two songs each.

What Now is showcasing all the various styles Howard seems influenced by, but under her guidance it never feels as too many styles have been involved. Actually, to me, this is a bit like echoing how Prince used to arrange songs with that little detail that this is ever so much better. What Now simply appears as Brittany Howard's best release in her post-Alabama Shakes period. Now why doesn't she release music more often?! Ah well, better have a great album than one with only a few good songs, and this one is a most delightful release despite containing songs about negative aspects of life such as climate changes, global crisis, and political climate / turmoil of her home country, and then: these are appropriate subjects to address at the current time, so better deal with what's at stake. And thanks to Howard's musicality, she manages to wrap her songs up in great music and ultimately, simply hands us one of this year's best albums.

This is highly recommended and one to pay attention to.

[ allmusic.com Mojo, NME 4 / 5, 👍Pitchfork 8,3 / 10, Uncut 4,5 / 5, The Guardian 5 / 5 stars ]

Hurray for the Riff Raff "The Past Is Still Alive" (2024)

The Past Is Still Alive

release date: Feb. 23, 2024

format: vinyl (translucent orange crush) / digital (11 x File, FLAC)

[album rate: 4 / 5] [4,08]

producer: Brad Cook

label: Nonesuch - nationality: USA

Track highlights: 1. "Alibi" (4 / 5) (live) - 2. "Buffalo" - 3. "Hawkmoon" (4 / 5) - 4. "Colossus of Roads" (4 / 5) - 5. "Snake Plant (The Past Is Still Alive)" (4 / 5) (live) - 6. "Vetiver" - 8. "Dynamo" - 9. "The World Is Dangerous"

9th studio album by Hurray for the Riff Raff following two years after the acclaimed Life on Earth (Feb. 2022) and is like that made with producer Brad Cook, who also plays bass on the album. Alynda Segarra is credited all songs.

Stylewise, the album is more folk-oriented as opposed to the indie rock feel of the 2022 album, and although the predecessor is a true gem this definitely has other strengths but most of all only establishes Segarra as one of the finest contemporary American singer /songwriters.

The Past Is Still Alive is one of this year's best albums and as such an album you should know.

Highly recommended.

EDIT Aug. 13, 2024:

Last night I experienced Hurray for the Riff Raff live at Voxhall, Aarhus, and that was just an absolute fabulous concert with a playfull four-piece and Alynda in peak performance. The band mostly played the songs from this new album, but instead of just repeating the studio arrangements, they trew the rock-version at us. I really enjoy the album but I must say: in a rock-frame these songs all shined ever so brightly. The releative small audience were all cheering and clapping for more 'cause Segarra and the band showed us what a great act they are. At times they played tight, soulful and bluesy reminding me of Neil Young & Crazy Horse or Alabama Shakes, at other times they hit repetive intervals that made me think of Band of Horses, at other times it was southern guitar rock in the style of Kings of Leon, and then most of the time they just sounded like no one else and led by one shiny Alynda Segarra. Over time and with a matured set of songs, this album has come out even stronger, and I feel it's closing in on another peak for Hurray for the Riff Raff as a strong contender to album of the year.

[ allmusic.com, Line of Best Fit 4,5 / 5, BeatsPerMinute 85 / 100, Pitchfork 8,3 / 10, Exclaim! 4 / 5 stars ]