Introducing: The Alabama Shakes

Athens, Alabama’s the Shakes have such an inspired take on retro, blues-driven soul that I couldn’t settle on a single track to share: “You Ain’t Alone,” the climactic ballad streaming above, which could serve as a nice supplement to last year’s Jeff Tweedy-penned Mavis Staples tune “You Are Not Alone,” or “Hang Loose,” where a memorable guitar riff gets the quartet in the pocket for a timeless groove led by frontwoman Brittany Howard’s show-stopping voice below. (Hat tip to Aquarium Drunkard for pointing out this promising unsigned band.)

“Hang Loose”