Known for their blunt, raw, and gritty sonic palette, Cage the Elephant’s music is unfettered and wildly cathartic. After a two-year hiatus, the Kentucky-bred band released their newest single, “Beaches in Tennessee”, ushering in a new era under alternative and rock music record label Big Loud Rock. “We couldn’t be more excited for what’s ahead," says Big Loud Rock Co-Founder and President Joey Moi. “What Cage The Elephant has accomplished over the last twenty years speaks for itself, and what excites me most is that they’re nowhere near finished. They’re still taking risks, pushing themselves creatively, and finding new ways to connect with fans.”

Sonically, the track is anchored by Brad Shultz’s guitar part, preserving the immediacy of their sound while keeping the production lean. The band collaborated with producers Justin Raisen (Charli XCX, Lil Yachty, Yves Tumor) and SADPONY (Sky Ferreira, Kid Cudi, James Blake) on the song, rendering a unique mix to herald the band’s new chapter. The brute, perfectly unrefined energy long associated with Cage the Elephant’s music endures, and the track contains a refrain that amplifies the intensity of its central plea: “Somebody take me home. I’m not the enemy. I’m going back to those beaches in Tennessee.”

To put it plainly, “Beaches in Tennessee” is a fictionalized account of lead singer Matt Shultz’s experience enduring a severe mental health crisis in 2023, in which he was hospitalized for three months. “This song for me symbolizes me finally being able to move past it,” says Shultz. “It was my attempt at reclaiming the ability to write about something serious that happened in my life, from a place of genuine experience... Having gone through what I did, I’m grateful to have the perspective that I have now.”

The release of the single not only marks their new chapter with Big Loud Rock but also signifies a paradigm shift for the band. “Beaches in Tennessee” is underscored by a renewed sense of purpose to heal and continue to evolve, a renewed sense of purpose that is palpable, life-affirming, and liberating to those who listen.