Fans of the popular rock band Alabama Shakes, which was first formed back in 2009, are ecstatic this month after the big announcement of the band’s first new album in 11 years. Now, to top it off, the band shared a new song as well called “I Feel Hope Coming.”
The new single is officially their third single off the upcoming album called I Must Be Dreaming, but it’s their first to come out after the album was publicly announced. Their first new song in 10 years, “Another Life,” came out last August as the band revealed their big return to making music and touring. The next single, “American Dream,” came out in April 2026.
Lead vocalist and guitarist Brittany Howard talked about the hopeful nature of the song “I Feel Hope Coming” and the story behind it, saying in a statement, “This younger generation makes me feel hopeful because they can see through all the political lies — that song’s about holding onto that hope, and refusing to give up.”
Guitarist Heath Fogg added, “I’m really happy that song exists. It came from such a joyful moment of collaboration, and exemplifies everything I love about this band being reborn.”
The new version of Alabama Shakes includes Howard, Fogg, and bassist Zac Cockrell. Former drummer Steve Johnson is no longer part of the band after serious legal issues.
The band originally found success with their acclaimed first album, Boys & Girls, in the early 2010s. Alabama Shakes followed it up with Sound & Color, released in 2015, which was a huge hit. It debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 album chart. But in 2018, the group decided to go on hiatus so that the members could explore solo careers.
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The new trio opened up about what led to the recent reunion when they announced their return to touring in February 2025. Howard said, “Last year, Heath, Zac, and I started chatting about how much fun it would be to make music together and tour again as Alabama Shakes. This band and these songs have been such a source of joy for all of us. It is crazy that it has been 10 years since we released Sound & Color and eight years since we played a show.”
At the time, she also teased that “a bunch of new music” was on its way, but it wasn’t until over a year later that their highly anticipated new album was finally announced.
Alabama Shakes’ new record, I Must Be Dreaming, officially drops on Aug. 28.
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