{
  "id": 3757345,
  "title": "Alabama Shakes returns with a new album after 11 years and a reunion at a craft brewery gig",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/27/alabama-shakes-returns-with-a-new-album-after-11-years-and-a-reunion-3757345",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-27T14:53:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Associated Press",
    "slug": "associated-press",
    "url": "https://apnews.com/article/alabama-shakes-2026-dreaming-433e8c3ee818a04af54ddb917868650c"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Alabama Shakes, the Grammy-winning band, has returned with their first album in 11 years, \"I Must Be Dreaming.\" The reunion came about through a craft brewery's initiative. Singer and guitarist Brittany Howard, who had recently released her second solo album, \"What Now,\" was contacted by Bo Hicks, co-founder of Druid City Brewing Company in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Hicks wanted Howard to perform at their brewery, which not only boosted their profits but also supported a local food pantry. Howard agreed, and upon contacting her bandmates, guitarist Heath Fogg and bassist Zac Cockrell, they all decided to get together and rehearse some songs. The experience proved so enjoyable that they decided to release an album. \"I Must Be Dreaming\" is a mix of love songs and wry social observations, with Howard feeling she had surprising things to say. She describes the process of transforming the songs into a full album as remarkable and feels the group's work is miraculous.",
  "summary": "NEW YORK (AP) — Alabama Shakes has returned with the band’s first album in 11 years and it turns out that craft beer played a big part in the reunion. Not drinking it, exactly. Singer and guitarist…",
  "key_points": [
    "Alabama Shakes releases first album in 11 years, \"I Must Be Dreaming\"",
    "Reunion sparked by craft brewery's initiative, benefiting local food pantry",
    "Album features love songs and social observations from Brittany Howard"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Alabama Shakes returns with a new album after 11 years and a reunion at a craft brewery gig",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/27/alabama-shakes-returns-with-a-new-album-after-11-years-and-a-reunion",
        "published": "2026-08-27T14:26:51.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}