Nearly two years later, they were back again, tossing their name in early for GRAMMY consideration if the first taste of their upcoming new record is any indication.

They kicked off the show with first single "Don't Wanna Fight," leading lady Brittany Howard's piercing screech pre-verse preceding a performance during which she was practically shaking at points, jerking, swooning, pointing into the audience amid an expanded band that included formidable backup singers. Vocals were on point of course, but it was the performer off whom eyes wouldn't come. Props for the earrings of Prince's face, too. Lots of double takes across America.

Track two, the newly premiered "Gimme All Your Love ," found Howard and co. toned it down a bit tempo-wise, trading the backing singers for verses so subdued there was actual silence on the SNL stage for a beat or two. But then came one of the night's most startling juxtapositions: from the quietness of the verses arose a fuller, guitar-laden chorus, and from that a grooving outro.