Music Review: "I Must Be Dreaming" by Alabama Shakes
I must preface this by saying, I like the Alabama Shakes.
Now, the new album. It’s called “I Must Be Dreaming,” and I truly must, because this album is low-key just... lame.
The album has 11 tracks and comes in at 48 minutes, and I was tempted to skip several of the songs. The first song I wanted to skip was “Tea Time,” which is, in fact, the first song of the album, which did not bode well for the rest of it.
“Tea Time,” to me, is vaguely reminiscent of a Tame Impala song, as far as the beat and pace. I think Tame Impala could’ve done the song way better. I was so incredibly bored by this song and Brittany Howard’s (main singer) vocals in this song are largely lackluster compared to what she is capable of.
The next song, “Another Life,” was actually released as a single in August 2025, and it really does just feel like it was tacked on to “I Must Be Dreaming” as some kind of filler. Boring breakup song.
The following song, “Garden,” was less unimpressive as the previous two in terms of the song itself, but the lyrics bored me. Basically, it just talks about showing people love, otherwise they won’t flourish. Okay, we get it. The “she” in the song is definitely just Brittany in a roundabout third person way.
Now, the most anticipated song of the album, and very arguably, one of the only two good ones. “I Feel Hope Coming” has an unmistakable groove that almost distracts you from the true meaning. This song is highly political, with lyrics such as, “It's gonna take more than prayers to change this place // It's gonna take a lot of "I don't know if I can" // They beat us down, make us crazy // Make us sick, call us lazy // I don't want your martial law, I want clean air // I don't want no enemies that ain't even there // Make us work, but they can't pay us,” serving as strong messages in lyrical form. Howard leaves nothing to the imagination with these lyrics, yet she sings them in a way that feels like a peaceful protest.
In the song, Howard sings calmly, like a lullaby. She’s telling us these awful things about, supposedly, the government, and yet, all we hear is a beautiful song. This song was leaked after being performed live and was the main reason the album was so highly anticipated. In fact, “I Feel Hope Coming,” “American Dream” and “Another Life” were released before the full album drop, and I think they could’ve just kept it that way and saved me the chagrin of enduring the whole album.
“Time,” as the second song in the album that has time in the title, is such a nothing song. Everyone wants to have more time with the people they love, time goes faster when you’re with someone you love, yes I get it, what is this album about?? Pick a theme.
“Friends,” another breakup song. Okay. Moving on.
“Easy” now we’re back to being in love and loving being with this person. Brittany, I can’t figure out what you’re feeling. I think I actually have whiplash.
“How Love’s Supposed To Go” also sounds like a Tame Impala song. Still not a great song though. Another love song.
At this point, I’m annoyed, because they fed me “I Feel Hope Coming” and I thought the album would get better, but we still have three more songs, and I’m falling asleep. What happened to the politics? What happened to the fine grit that song provided?
“Waist Deep” looks up a bit. Now this song actually sounds like a The Lumineers song, not Tame Impala. In fact, it makes me think of “Flowers in Your Hair,” by The Lumineers, just in the beat and the “rebellious coming-of-age" lyrics. Meh.
“American Dream” ok YES FINALLY we’re back to politics. Howard stuns with her lyricism in this song, even giving the album its name in the chorus. The first verse is so blatant, and this song has so much more power behind it than it gets credit for. Howard speaks to wanting the American Dream, thinking the government also wanted this and then finding that she “must be dreaming” to think the government has her best interest in mind.
“Out of reach, doublespeak // Got the White House pretty and pimped out // Gun reform, my body, my choice // Got the big TV to show you what you didn't even know you wanted // Got the EPA, sure is hot today // Low-grade fever, lower-wage people // How many folks got shot this week? // Mm, it's enough to make you wanna go back to sleep.”
I should also mention, “(The American Dream) // I wanna go back to sleep now
(The impossible dream) // I can't keep dreaming.”
Now, why are there only two of these powerful political songs on this album, which seems to otherwise be about love and heartbreak??
Oh, and yeah, the last song. “Tied to You.” Another “love is bad, but I’m so in love" song. Give me a break.
This album is so frustrating. I so crave more songs like “I Feel Hope Coming” and “American Dream,” but Howard and the Shakes severely under-delivered with this album. I guess I’ll have to keep dreaming.
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