One of the most influential rock voices of our generation, Cage The Elephant, returns with a brand-new single, “Beaches in Tennessee,” their first release in two years. The song gently turns the page into a new chapter for the band, now with Big Loud Rock helping pen the next story, an independent record label rooted in artist development and genuine community – the very ethos Cage The Elephant has quietly embodied throughout their career. Big Loud Co-Founder and President of the rock division, Joey Moi, speaks about the partnership speaks about the partnership with unmistakable admiration, sharing: “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. Seeing that renewed energy and perspective carry into this next chapter is incredibly exciting. Welcoming a band of this caliber to Big Loud Rock, alongside the incredible team at Q Prime, is a huge moment for us. We couldn’t be more excited for what’s ahead.”

Matt Shultz, the voice leading the charge of Cage the Elephant, reflects on the revival with the same sense of wonder that has always anchored the band’s songwriting: “It’s definitely a new chapter,” he says. “We always try to write from life experience. Whatever we’re going through will undoubtedly make its way into the music. Even when going through difficult seasons, life can still prove to have no shortage of light memories. I’ve learned we don’t realize the things that we’re capable of making it through until we actually face them. Having fond memories during difficult times is a blessing to say the least—which some of these songs do for certain. Navigating troubled waters many times reminds us how extraordinary life truly is. Life’s beautiful. It takes peaks and valleys to illustrate that beauty.” That philosophy quietly courses through “Beaches in Tennessee,” a song less concerned with escaping hardship than discovering the fragments of light that continue flickering inside it.

The track itself was cultivated rather than manufactured, bringing together two sets of brothers: Matt and Brad Shultz alongside acclaimed production duo Justin and Jeremiah Raisen, whose fingerprints stretch across records by Charli XCX, SZA, and more. Rather than chasing perfection, the group allowed the atmosphere inside the room to guide the sessions, trusting instinct until the song naturally revealed its final shape. That process feels deeply reflective of Cage The Elephant’s place in music today.

20 years into a career that has already left an undeniable imprint on modern rock, they’re no longer fighting for chart positions; they’re following curiosity wherever it leads. Brad recalls, “I liked several different albums Justin had worked on, including Kim Gordon and Yves Tumor. For producers, he was at the top of my list. I flew out to L.A. and hung out with him in the studio one night. The energy was crazy. It was like two wool socks in a dryer. He brought in Jeremiah. There’s a common thread between them, but they make two different types of art. They have their own unique views and ways of doing things, so it’s been pretty cool to just jump between those two worlds. It’s made a pretty unique mix in what we’re doing. I knew they were the guys.”

Built to cradle Brad’s dreamy guitar lines rather than overpower the mix, “Beaches in Tennessee” resists unnecessary embellishment, embracing the beautifully imperfect urgency that has always made rock music feel alive. Loose baselines drift beneath shuffling rhythms while the refrain unfolds into a hook that lingers, carrying the emotional weight of the song with quiet resilience rather than spectacle.

The emotional core comes directly from Matt’s own experience. It’s no secret that I went through a mental health crisis a few years back; this song for me symbolizes me finally being able to move past it,” he reveals. “I was hospitalized for nearly three months, the song addresses it by creating a fictionalized account of it. It was my attempt at reclaiming the ability to write about something serious that happened in my life, from a place of genuine experience. There’s a saying, ‘There’s nothing better than a poor Christmas’. It’s because you learn to make the most of what you have and appreciate it. Having gone through what I did, I’m grateful to have the perspective that I have now. The experience gave me a greater appreciation for my life when I came out on the other side. I’m thankful for where I’m at now in this new chapter. As a band, we were able to reclaim the ability to write a song rooted in a difficult and turbulent real-life event, but do it in a lighthearted way. I hope it helps someone else the way it helped me.”

“Beaches in Tennessee” arrives at a moment when Cage The Elephant seems to have rediscovered not only their footing but the quiet wonder that first propelled them forward. Fresh off joining Oasis on the “Live ’25” tour, the band walked straight from the stage back itnot eh studio carrying a renewed creative spark. 20 years into their career, they aren’t trying to outrun their past or reinvent themselves for the sake of relevancy. Instead, they’re embracing the artistry that has only deepened with time, continuing to inspire generations of musicians who grew up with their records soundtracking their own lives.

“The Oasis tour really reignited our fire to dream and continue to dream,” Matt reflects. “I think we realized there’s still room to evolve and push ourselves, especially in the live realm. That tour added to our overall passion and desire to see this thing through. When it was over, we decided not to take a break. We pretty much went straight into the studio to start making music.”

Brad shares that same outlook toward the future: “Musically, we always want to reinvent Cage The Elephant. We’ve discovered a whole new side to our band, how we look at things, and how we make art. You’re growing constantly as an artist, and I think we’ve tapped into that growth. I do feel like we’re making the best music we’ve ever made. If anything, it’s definitely the most inspired.”

“Beaches in Tennessee” may usher in a new era for Cage The Elephant, but the heartbeat that first drew listeners to the band remains untouched. Two decades later, the same restless curiosity, fearless vulnerability, and flickering creative fire continue burning just as brightly. The scenery may have changed, but the soul of the band feels unmistakably familiar – and that’s precisely what makes this return feel so meaningful.