Full Breakdown
Alabama Shakes Unveil First Album in Over a Decade, “I Must Be Dreaming”
7/7/2026, 8:34:37 PM
Album Announcement and Release Details
American rock trio Alabama Shakes announced that their third studio album, I Must Be Dreaming, will be released on August 28, 2026 via Island Records. The LP follows the singles “Another Life” (August 2025) and “American Dream” (April 2026). A third single, “I Feel Hope Coming,” is slated for July 10, 2026. The official tracklist lists eleven songs: “Tea Time,” “Another Life,” “Garden,” “I Feel Hope Coming,” “Time,” “Friends,” “Easy,” “How Love’s Supposed To Go,” “Waist Deep,” “American Dream,” and “Tied To You.” The band will support the release with a tour running through the end of September.
Background & Context
Alabama Shakes debuted with *Boys & Girls* (2012) and achieved mainstream success with *Sound & Color* (2015), which entered the Billboard 200 at No. 1 and earned three Grammy Awards. The group entered an indefinite hiatus in 2018; frontwoman Brittany Howard pursued solo projects, releasing *Jaime* (2019) and *What Now* (2024). The trio reconvened in late 2024, first performing together at a surprise show in Alabama in December 2024. Former drummer Steve Johnson left after his 2021 arrest on child-abuse charges, a case dismissed in December 2021. Since then the band operates as a three-piece.
Key Figures & Groups
- Brittany Howard – lead vocalist and guitarist
- Heath Fogg – guitarist and backing vocalist
- Zac Cockrell – bassist
- Shawn Everett – producer, mixer, and engineer (also contributed to the band’s debut *Boys & Girls*)
- Island Records – label handling distribution and promotion
Data & Statistics
- Album composition: 11 tracks (titles listed above)
- Single release timeline: “Another Life” (Aug 2025), “American Dream” (Apr 2026), “I Feel Hope Coming” (Jul 10 2026)
- Previous album performance: *Sound & Color* debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200; won three Grammy Awards (Best Alternative Music Album, Best Rock Song, Best Rock Performance)
Official Statements & Responses
Island Records issued a press release confirming the August 28 launch and emphasizing the album’s continuation of the band’s “fearless musical exploration.” The band’s social-media announcement highlighted the collaboration with Shawn Everett, noting that the trio “are working on some exciting stuff” and that the new record “expands on the fearless musical exploration that defined the band’s landmark sophomore album ‘Sound & Color.’” No additional commentary from external parties was reported.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Years since last album: Some sources describe the gap as 11 years, others as “a decade” or 10 years.
- Single chronology: Only one source specifies the month for “Another Life” (August 2025); others reference the year alone.
- Steve Johnson’s legal status: Reports note his 2021 arrest and a December 2021 dismissal, but provide no further details.
- Future chart expectations: No source offers projected sales or chart positions for the upcoming release.
Verbatim Quotes
- “expand on the fearless musical exploration that defined the band’s landmark sophomore album ‘Sound & Color'” — NME article
- “working on some exciting stuff!” — Band’s social-media post (reported by NME)
- “Pre-order I Must Be Dreaming here.” — Album title as quoted in multiple announcements
- “I Feel Hope Coming” — Title of the forthcoming single
- “Another Life.” — Title of the 2025 single
- “American Dream” — Title of the 2026 single
What’s Next
The single “I Feel Hope Coming” drops on July 10, followed by the full album on August 28. The band’s ongoing tour will conclude in late September, after which additional promotional appearances are anticipated. No further release dates or ancillary projects have been disclosed.
