Brittany Howard Offers Up Dystopian New Single ‘Red Flags’

Brittany Howard has shared the second single, “Red Flags,” from her forthcoming album WHAT NOW. Her hotly anticipated second solo album (and first under Island Records) will be released on February 2.

On “Red Flags,” Howard offers up a gloriously brooding reflection on love’s darker dimensions, echoing the stormy intensity of her emotional state by continually pulling the track into unique new directions. Check it out below.

“In my past relationships, I’ve had a tendency to see red flags as part of some parade just for me—something for me to run right through without paying any attention,” Howard says. “To me ‘Red Flags’ sounds very dystopian, which makes sense for a song that feels like end-of-times as far as me emotionally maturing. It’s like a big tower fell and now I have to create something new.”

“Red Flags” was written and produced by Brittany with co-production from Shawn Everett (Kacey Musgraves, SZA), with whom she has a longstanding creative relationship since Alabama Shakes. Recording took place at the legendary Sound Emporium and historic RCA Studio A in Nashville, Brittany’s hometown.

WHAT NOW is the long-awaited follow-up to Jaime, Brittany’s acclaimed solo debut of 2019 (featuring “Stay High” and “History Repeats”). The album landed on best-of-the-year lists likes of Pitchfork, The New York Times, and Rolling Stone, was named NPR’s album of the year, and earned her seven Grammy nominations in four different genres, winning the award for Best Rock Song with “Stay High.”

Over the course of its 12 tracks, WHAT NOW sees Howard bringing her singular musicality to a shapeshifting sound encompassing everything from psychedelia and dance music to dream-pop and avant-jazz. At turns galvanizing, cathartic, and wildly soul-expanding, the result is a monumental step forward for one of the most essential artists of our time. Additionally, last month Howard announced headlining tour dates in 2024 across the US and Canada.

Buy or stream “Red Flags.”