By cannily synthesizing many of the sonic signifiers of alternative rock, Cage the Elephant have earned continued mainstream success and critical acclaim. The Kentucky natives relocated to England just before the 2008 release of their eponymous debut, landing a transatlantic hit with "Ain't No Rest for the Wicked." Over the coming years, they became a reliable fixture on American modern rock radio, with two albums going gold (2011's Thank You Happy Birthday and 2013's Melophobia), and a Grammy Award for their 2015 album, the Dan Auerbach-produced Tell Me I'm Pretty. Cage the Elephant repeated this success on 2019's Social Cues, which also won a Best Rock Album Grammy. After a five-year gap, the band returned with a new single, "Neon Pill," in early 2024.

Formed by Matt Shultz, Brad Shultz, Jared Champion, Lincoln Parish, and Daniel Tichenor, the group signed with Relentless and released the "Free Love" single late in 2007. A support slot for the Pigeon Detectives beckoned in early 2008, and follow-up single "Ain't No Rest for the Wicked" reached the Top 40 in June. The group's self-titled debut followed soon after, becoming a respectable commercial and critical success. They continued to build momentum over the next few years, touring steadily and appearing at major festivals like Bonnaroo and Lollapalooza while working on their follow-up. Cage the Elephant's second album, Thank You Happy Birthday, proved to be their breakout. Released at the beginning of 2011, it debuted at number two on the album charts, thanks in part to the hit "Shake Me Down." In early 2012, the band released the live audio/video package Live from the Vic in Chicago, which captured performances from their sold-out two-night run at the famous Chicago venue. Returning to the studio, the band recorded its third album, Melophobia. Released in October 2013, the album saw Cage collaborating with Alison Mosshart (the Kills, the Dead Weather) and featured the modern rock radio hit "Come a Little Closer." During the Melophobia era, Cage the Elephant parted ways with their founding guitarist, Lincoln Parish, who became a producer for other artists in Nashville.

In late 2015, the band released its fourth album, Tell Me I'm Pretty, which was produced by the Black Keys' Dan Auerbach. The ensemble embarked on both nationwide and European tours in promotion of the record throughout 2016 to rapturous success; the album would later win the Grammy for Best Rock Album in 2017. Cage the Elephant continued performing throughout early 2017 with a series of intimate, stripped-down, unplugged shows around the States that spanned their entire back catalog. The performances were captured and chronicled in their second live release, Unpeeled, which arrived in the early summer of 2017.

Cage the Elephant returned in 2019 with Social Cues, which was heavily influenced by Matt Shultz's divorce. Exploring dark emotions, it was produced by John Hill and included the single "Ready to Let Go" along with "Night Running," featuring Beck. It became the band's second straight album to win the Grammy for Best Rock Album. After contributing a cover of "The Unforgiven" to The Metallica Blacklist tribute album in 2021, Cage the Elephant reunited with Hill to record their sixth album at Texas' Sonic Ranch studios. Its vibrant title track, "Neon Pill," appeared in January 2024. ~ Chris True