Alabama native Brittany Howard has one of the most memorable voices that has emerged recently. It’s gritty, yet irresistibly sweet, virtuosic, yet always relatable, youthful sounding, yet laced with the wears and tears of time and experience. Her range as a singer is remarkable, with her lowest registers and highest falsettos possessing equal power. Alabama Shakes has been hyped like crazy lately, and for good reason. Howard and company capture that magical Muscle Shoals sound without playing the role of mere historical reenactors. Their debut LP Boys & Girls demonstrates plenty of antiquated musical influences but at the same time expresses timeless human emotion.
On lead single, “Hold On,” Howard sings, “Didn’t think I would make it past 22 years old.” Indeed, {Boys & Girls} is to a large degree a record about survival. As the album’s title suggests, the main thematic concern here is relationships, especially of the painful, complicated variety. There’s an intriguing blend of carnality and spirituality, though. Tunes like “Hold On,” “I Found You,” and “Hang Loose” suggest a kind of mystical transcendence, a rising above all the trials and tribulations. “Goin’ to the Party” and “Heartbreaker” invoke the feeling of wallowing in the grime and grit of small-town life. No matter what Howard sings about, her voice is so commanding as to make it interesting and relevant. {Boys & Girls} is a stunning debut. If Alabama Shakes can match its vitality and energy with their next effort, it will constitute a small miracle.
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