Photo by Bobbi Rich
Today, five-time Grammy Award-winning artist Brittany Howard made waves with the release of the first single and accompanying video from her highly anticipated solo album, WHAT NOW–her second solo album under Island Records.
The title track, “What Now,” offers a tantalizing preview of the full-length album, which was written and produced by Brittany Howard with co-production from Shawn Everett (known for his work with Kacey Musgraves and SZA), and recorded in her hometown of Nashville at the renowned Sound Emporium and historic RCA Studio B.
The accompanying video, an action-packed cinematic spectacle, was directed by Danilo Parra (notable for his collaborations with A$AP Rocky) and produced by Adam Braun (known for his work with 070 Shake and P!NK). The song is charged with urgency, driven by its syncopated grooves, searing guitar riffs, and candid lyrics (“I’ve been making plans that don’t include you anymore/ My heart wants to stay, but I don’t know what for”).
Howard herself describes it as “maybe the truest and bluest of all the songs.” She adds, “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.”
To complement the single, Howard is set to release a limited-edition 7-inch featuring “What Now” on the A side and “Meditation” on the B side, featuring crystal singing bowls performed by her friends Ramona Reid of The Frequency Center and Ann Sensing. Fans can pre-order the 7-inch now, with shipping scheduled for December.
The album promises a dynamic and eclectic mix of musical styles, from psychedelia and dance music to dream-pop and avant-jazz, embarking on an exploration of retro-future Afroism.
As a further celebration of her new album, Howard has announced a headlining 2024 tour across the US and Canada. The tour kicks off on Feb. 6, 2024, in Chicago, with stops in major cities such as New York City and Washington D.C. Becca Mancari is set to open for Howard and tickets will be available starting Friday, Oct. 20, 2023, at 10 a.m. local time. This February tour comes on the heels of previously announced November 2023 dates beginning on Nov. 6.
For more information and tour details, visit www.brittanyhoward.com.