Cage The Elephant Return With Powerful New Single "Beaches In Tennessee," Marking the Beginning of a Bold New Era

Photo by Lewis Evans

Multi-GRAMMY Award-winning rock band Cage The Elephant have officially entered a new chapter with the release of their emotionally charged new single, "Beaches In Tennessee." Arriving as the band's first new music in two years, the track also marks their debut release under Big Loud Rock, signaling a fresh creative partnership while reaffirming the fearless songwriting and raw honesty that have defined the Kentucky outfit for more than two decades.

Following the acclaimed release of Neon Pill and a career that has produced countless alternative rock anthems, "Beaches In Tennessee" finds Cage The Elephant balancing vulnerability with hope. Built around an infectious guitar riff, a loose groove, and a chorus that lingers long after the song ends, the single captures a band reflecting on hardship without losing sight of optimism.

The release comes alongside Billboard's feature exploring the band's signing to Big Loud Rock, a move that represents more than a label change—it's the beginning of a renewed creative vision.

"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," says Moi. "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."

While "Beaches In Tennessee" carries an undeniable melodic warmth, its emotional foundation is deeply personal. Frontman Matt Shultz describes the song as a reflection on overcoming one of the most difficult periods of his life. Rather than dwelling in darkness, the track transforms painful experiences into something hopeful—a recurring theme that continues to define Cage The Elephant's songwriting.

"It's definitely a new chapter," Matt explains. "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. Navigating troubled waters many times reminds us how extraordinary life truly is. Life's beautiful. It takes peaks and valleys to illustrate that beauty."

Matt has also spoken candidly about the mental health crisis that led to his hospitalization several years ago, revealing that "Beaches In Tennessee" became a way to reclaim that experience through songwriting.

"It's no secret that I went through a mental health crisis a few years back; this song for me symbolizes finally being able to move past it," he says. "I was hospitalized for nearly three months. The song creates a fictionalized account of that experience. It was my attempt at reclaiming the ability to write about something serious from a place of genuine experience."

Rather than allowing trauma to define the story, the song focuses on resilience.

"Having gone through what I did, I'm grateful for the perspective I have now. The experience gave me a greater appreciation for my life. As a band, we were able to write about a difficult real-life event in a lighthearted way, and I hope it helps someone else the way it helped me."

For this latest chapter, Cage The Elephant joined forces with acclaimed producers Justin Raisen and SADPONY (Jeremiah Raisen), whose resumes include collaborations with artists such as Charli xcx, SZA, Kim Gordon, Lil Yachty, Yves Tumor, and Yeah Yeah Yeahs. The partnership quickly evolved into an organic collaboration between two sets of brothers—Matt and Brad Shultz alongside Justin and Jeremiah Raisen—creating an environment driven by experimentation rather than perfection.

Lead guitarist Brad Shultz says he knew almost immediately that the Raisen brothers were the right collaborators.

"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."

That chemistry shaped the recording process. Instead of overproducing the song, the band embraced spontaneity, allowing the performance to remain immediate and alive. Built around Brad's hypnotic guitar progression, "Beaches In Tennessee" unfolds with shuffling percussion, understated basslines, and one of the band's most memorable choruses in years as Matt repeats:

"Somebody take me home. I'm not the enemy. I'm going back to those beaches in Tennessee."

Fresh off their run as special guests on Oasis' Live '25 Tour, the band found themselves energized by performing on some of the world's biggest stages. Rather than taking time off afterward, they immediately returned to writing and recording.

"The Oasis tour really reignited our fire to dream and continue to dream," Matt says. "We realized there's still room to evolve and push ourselves, especially in the live realm. When it was over, we decided not to take a break. We pretty much went straight into the studio."

That momentum can be heard throughout "Beaches In Tennessee," a song that captures a band rediscovering both its purpose and creative confidence.

Across seven studio albums, the band has blended garage rock, punk, alternative, psychedelic rock, blues, and pop influences into a sound that remains unmistakably their own. Their willingness to evolve has earned them two GRAMMY® Awards for Best Rock Album, numerous Gold, Platinum, and Multi-Platinum certifications, over six billion global streams, and an impressive string of 13 Alternative Radio No. 1 singles alongside seven Triple A No. 1 hits. Their breakthrough with Melophobia established them as one of rock's most adventurous acts, while albums including Tell Me I'm Pretty, Social Cues, and Neon Pill only expanded their artistic reach.

Today, Cage The Elephant remains a close-knit six-piece consisting of Matt Shultz (vocals), Brad Shultz (rhythm guitar), Nick Bockrath (lead guitar), Matthan Minster (keyboards, guitar, backing vocals), Daniel Tichenor (bass), and Jared Champion (drums).

Looking ahead, Brad believes the band's greatest creative period may be unfolding right now. 

"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."

With "Beaches In Tennessee," Cage The Elephant aren't simply returning—they're evolving. The single captures a band transformed by experience yet energized by possibility, proving that even after twenty years, they remain one of modern rock's most fearless and emotionally compelling voices. As they begin this latest chapter with Big Loud Rock, it's clear their story is far from over.