Credit: Brantley GutierrezGiven the success of their debut album, Boys & Girls, it would be understandable for Alabama Shakes to stick to the southern rock sound that helped them break through. However, from the first few songs the band has released from their forthcoming sophomore album, Sound & Color, it's clear that they are trying to expand on their musical horizons.
"It's a bit far-out," frontwoman Brittany Howard tells Rolling Stone of Sound & Color. "When it came time to gather all the songs, we thought, 'What kind of record is this?' And we said, 'Very strange.' But I love it."
"We just wanted to be free and explore and not worry what this record would be in the public's eye," adds guitarist Heath Fogg.
The recording sessions for Sound & Color not only allowed Alabama Shakes to explore new musical territory, the band also got to jam with another southern rock fan: Kid Rock.
"I don't spend a lot of time with other musicians in studios, but listening to them jam, I felt I was in a privileged spot," says Rock. "They're making music I want to listen to."
The collaboration resulted in a new track, but don't expect it to show up on Sound & Color, or any future Alabama Shakes records for that matter.
"You're never going to hear it," Howard says. "Ever."
Sound & Color will be released on April 21.
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