Brittany Howard releases new single, 'What Now,' plays Ryman in November
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Multiple-time Grammy-winning performer Brittany Howard has released "What Now," the title track from her forthcoming second solo release since the Alabama Shakes' creative hiatus five years ago.
The bluesy rocker will also play at Music City's Ryman Auditorium on Nov. 7, 2023.
Tickets for that appearance -- one of 14 she has scheduled into February 2024 -- are available at https://www.ryman.com/event/2023-11-07-brittany-howard-at-7-30-pm.
"'What Now' is maybe the truest and bluest of all the songs," says Howard via a press 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."
"I've been making plans that don't include you anymore / My heart wants to stay, but I don't know what for," sings Howard on the track.
Her latest release continues her genre-agnostic sonic explorations. 2019's "Jaime" received seven Grammy nominations in four different genres -- yielding a Best Rock Song nod for "Stay High."
Recording "What Now" found Nashville resident Howard staying amid familiar environs, including historical landmarks like the Sound Emporium and RCA's Studio B on Music Row.
What resulted is what a statement refers to as not just rock but "Afro-futuristic psychedelia, dance music, dream-pop and avant-jazz."
For the past decade, Howard's growth as a guitarist, songwriter and vocalist has encapsulated not just the Alabama Shakes' surging from indie-rock darling status to achieving Rolling Stone "Song of The Year" commendations but also seeing her solo stardom rapidly ascend to Americana Music Association, GLAAD and Grammy appealing status, while maintaining critical credibility.
Howard will release a limited-edition 7-inch to accompany the single. "What Now" (A Side) and a "Meditation" (B Side) with meditative, mental health-aiding crystal singing bowls performed by Brittany's friends Ramona Reid of The Frequency Center and Ann Sensing.
That release, available in December, can be pre-ordered at https://shop.brittanyhoward.com/products/what-now-single-7-inch.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Brittany Howard releases new single, 'What Now,' plays Ryman in November
