[rating=9.00]
Ever since Alabama Shakes knocked us over the head with their 2012 release Boys & Girls, we’ve all been waited with bated breath for their follow up. Now that it’s here in the form of Sound & Color, we are reminded what made us fall so hard for them only a few short years ago. It’s felt like forever waiting for this record, and hot damn, it was worth the wait.
Everything about Sound & Color feels deeper. There is more darkness, more soul, more feeling in every note. This is not to take away from the brilliance that was Boys & Girls, but just recognition of their clear evolution as a band. Front woman Brittany Howard still has that voice unlike any other, but what she does with it on Sound & Color is so layered and smart, it’s as though she’s just discovered a million new places it can take her, and luckily, us. Howard’s got a new confidence in her vocals. She sounds relaxed, like a seasoned pro, and this allows her to reach new heights of sultriness.
There’s a strong throwback soul vibe taking over Sound & Color, and even though it’s something we knew Alabama Shakes could do well, we’ve never seen it at this level before. Songs like the psychedelic trip “Dunes” and the slow burn “Gimme All Your Love” take their sweet time hitting the spot, and when they do it’s beyond satisfying. Songs like these are both referential and timeless. They hit those retro notes, but never too much. Sound & Color, as a whole, is a totally balanced record.
Where Boys & Girls was heavier on a new wave pop-soul sound, with numerous songs you could easily sing along to, Color feels more carefree and thoughtful and that’s what makes it great. It feels like Howard and her band have been doing serious homework, honing in on their most powerful influences and using that power to elevate them to the next level. There’s an ease to Color that gives it an intense depth, too. Listening to songs like “This Feeling” and “Guess Who” feels like moving through cool, black water, refreshing and mysterious. The twangy trippy tone of the electric guitar is flavorful and rich.
Sound & Color does have its explosive moments, too. They’re just less expected and feel more spontaneous. The chorus of “Miss You” will jump out and grab a hold of you, and the pounding percussion and shivering organ on “Shoegaze” is practically made just for booty shaking. Everything about this album is down to earth and feels so genuinely real. You can hear the strength in every melody, every harmony and every chord. There’s nothing run-of-the-mill about Howard and her band. They’re completely and totally unique. They can meld punk rock, funk, southern soul and sexy R&B like it’s no sweat, and Sound & Color is proof that they’ve only just begun.
The songs on this record are expressive and vibrant, exploring everything from heartbreak to feminism to power and love. And yet, nothing feels over-done or rushed. There’s a reason it took Alabama Shakes a few years to release their next record, and that care and attention to detail shows itself in every single song.
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