Alabama Shakes - Boys & Girls

Alabama Shakes first full length Boys & Girls is a well blended mix of soul, classic rock and the vocals of Brittany Howard. The Album starts off unremarkably with the track Hold On. However even with this gentle start, there is something about Howard's voice that establishes itself as interesting, as it flexes itself from a commanding rock chorus to a lullaby outro. I Found You is soaked in nostalgic crescendos and hidden male harmonies, bringing the honesty in Howard's voice to centre stage and reflecting it's shine. Rolling piano keys in Hang Loose maintain the solid feeling of content the album invites, before drawing you in to feel feelings during the haunting organs and raw vocals of Rise to the Sun. The entire album is a solid mix of soul, rock and emotive vocals that you could only imagine would be untouchable live. Sarah Mullins