Alabama Shakes Release First Album in 11 Years – *I Must Be Dreaming*

Alabama Shakes disclosed that their third studio album, I Must Be Dreaming, will be issued on August 28, 2026 through Island Records. The record arrives alongside the new single “I Feel Hope Coming,” which debuted on July 10, 2026. The band will support the release with a worldwide headline tour spanning North America and Europe, including a September 2 performance at Radio City Music Hall, co-headlining dates with the Tedeschi Trucks Band, and an appearance at the Ohana Festival in Dana Point, California on September 26.

Alabama Shakes Announce ‘I Must Be Dreaming’ For August

The trio—vocalist Brittany Howard, guitarist Heath Fogg, and bassist Zac Cockrell—went on hiatus after the 2015 Grammy-winning album *Sound & Color*. Howard pursued a solo career while the group remained largely inactive until a surprise live reunion in late 2024 reignited their collaborative chemistry. The new album marks the first full-length release in eleven years, ending a decade-long studio absence.

Alabama Shakes returning with first album in 11 years, ‘I Must Be Dreaming’

*I Must Be Dreaming* was recorded in Nashville at Sound Emporium Studios and Blackbird Studio. Production credits list Alabama Shakes alongside Shawn Everett, a six-time Grammy Award winner who also co-produced *Sound & Color*. The album comprises eleven tracks, including “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.”

Alabama Shakes Announce ‘I Must Be Dreaming’ For August

Band members describe the collection as an expansion of their signature blend of rock, soul, and psychedelia, exploring love, mortality, human connection, and the contradictions of modern life. Critics note a shift toward richer, more atmospheric psychedelic-soul textures while retaining the emotional intensity that defined earlier releases.

Alabama Shakes Announce First Album in 11 Years

Howard explained that “I Feel Hope Coming” centers on “holding onto hope and refusing to give up.” She added that the album title conveys a “double meaning, reflecting both disbelief at the state of the world and recognition of its beauty.” Fogg characterized the titular single as emerging from “a joyful moment of collaboration.” The band emphasized that the record is less a comeback than “the beginning of a new chapter,” aiming to move forward rather than recreate past successes.

Alabama Shakes Announce ‘I Must Be Dreaming’ For August

• “joyful moment of collaboration.” — Heath Fogg, guitarist

Alabama Shakes Announce ‘I Must Be Dreaming’ For August

• “Brittany Howard on I Must Be Dreaming According to Brittany Howard, the album title reflects two opposing realities that can exist at the same time.” — Brittany Howard, vocalist

Alabama Shakes Announce First Album in 11 Years

• “Rather than trying to recreate the success of the past, Alabama Shakes embrace growth, experience and creative freedom.” — Brittany Howard, vocalist

Alabama Shakes Announce First Album in 11 Years

All sources agree on the August 28, 2026 release date and the eleven-track lineup. Minor phrasing differences describe the interval since the previous album as “more than a decade” versus “eleven years,” but no substantive factual conflict appears. No external critical commentary or sales projections have been provided.

Alabama Shakes Announce ‘I Must Be Dreaming’ For August

The album signals the return of one of the defining American rock-soul acts of the 2010s, potentially influencing contemporary psychedelic soul trends and reaffirming the commercial viability of long-awaited reunion projects. The accompanying tour will expose the new material to a global audience, reinforcing the band’s relevance in a shifting musical landscape.

Alabama Shakes announce new album 'I Must Be Dreaming'