Brittany Howard’s “Jaime” masterfully reinvents Black music

The Alabama Shakes leader uses her mastery of R’n’B and soul as a jumping-off point to new horizons

As singer, songwriter and lead guitarist of Alabama Shakes, Brittany Howard was at the forefront of a revival of rootsy rhythm & blues. Not one to be pigeonholed, she turned to hard rock with Thunderbitch. Now she has just released her first solo record, and it builds upon these foundations to expand the boundaries of rock and soul.

Knowing her multiple talents, we expected nothing short of high quality, but we get much so more. This is an exceptional work that is visceral, experimental and deeply personal. The spirit of Prince looms large: his vocal antics, sonic daring and groovy funk clearly inspire it. The music also reaches out from the classic basics to their progeny, incorporating hip hop and modern R&B.

Jaime takes its name from Howard’s sister, who died as a child from a rare eye cancer. It is an indication of how closely the album reflects Howard’s life and experiences. She tells of facing bigotry as the child of a mixed-race family; of the particularity of being a big, queer woman; of love and sex; of an overwhelming desire to change the world; and of God.

This record not only confirms a major artist, but also shines a light on how much more she can do. It invites you to come over and inhabit her fascinating world, where past, present and future collide, for a little while. You will not regret accepting the invitation, and you will certainly want to visit again and again.