One of blues rock's most celebrated figures, Brittany Howard, has announced her debut solo album Jaime, due for release on 20 September via Columbia Records. Popularly known as the frontwoman and guitarist in Alabama Shakes, Howard has taken the daunting step away from her work of ten years with the band.
The singer has explored new musings on this innovative jazzy record, examining spiritual ritual, love and the experience of growing up as a mixed-race child in the South; all deeply personal themes that the artist admitted were necessary ingredients in telling people the story of Brittany Howard. As a private person, Howard admits that her personal exploration that’s so sincerely instilled into Jaime is daunting, but the blues rock singer also recognises the rewards of showing up honestly and unapologetically in one’s music, sharing that her “favourite work is when people are being honest and really doing themselves”.
Jaime tracklist:
01. History Repeats
02. He Loves Me
03. Georgia
04. Stay High
05. Tomorrow
06. Short and Sweet
07. 13th Century Metal
08. Baby
09. Goat Head
10. Presence
11. Run To Me
Titling the album after her late sister who taught her how to play the piano and write poetry, Howard affirmed that the title is in memoriam to Jaime who helped shape her as a human being; a personal touch to the record that symbolises the pure honesty that’s to follow in her tracks and one that we can feel in song ‘History Repeats’, which Howard shared today.
An infectiously soulful track which is as much an act of self-expression as it is an expression of the human species, it’s inspired by our times of success that may propel us forward but also by “our repeating failures that hold us back from evolving into harmony”. Sound-wise, the track is an embodiment of modern blues rock, treating us to that tasty, jazzy soulfulness that transports you straight to Topanga, California, that rustic LA county town wedged between the mountains and the beach where Howard was inspired to record the album. The track is layered with a combination of husky vocals and effortless grooves brought you by bassist Zac Cockrell, innovative jazz-based keyboard player Robert Glasper and drummer Nate Smith. Tune in below:
The bar was set high when Howard and her band made their live debut last week at the prestigious Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. This, however, was nothing new to the singer who in the past has performed everywhere from the Obama White House to the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury and Lollapalooza.
To catch Brittany Howard in all her glory this summer in London, when she plays EartH on 29 August. Full tour dates and ticket information here.
