Boys & Girls

Editors’ Notes

With so many city folk affecting Southern drawls to accessorize their roots-rock endeavors, it’s quite refreshing to hear the real deal. Needless to say, Alabama Shakes are legit—they hail from Athens, Ala., and play the kind of music that’s steeped in their surroundings. “Hold On” opens with a Creedence Clearwater Revival swagger before dynamic singer Brittany Howard steps up to the mic. But rather than simply heat up yesterday’s soul food, the band infuse that bygone boogie-rock with plenty of today’s gritty guitar distortion and explosive indie rock effects. Check out the reverb-laden “On Your Way,” which balances vintage tones and period-correct production with an off-the-rails performance by the band. Conversely, “Goin’ to the Party” finds both band and Howard exercising some cool restraint.