Photo Credit: Charlie Weinmann
White Denim have announced their 12th studio album, 12, set to premiere on Dec. 6 via Bella Union. The record arrives at a busy time for the band, following 2023’s Raze Regal & White Denim Inc, as well as vocalist and guitarist James Petralli’s production on beloved jam quartet Eggy’s sophomore record Waiting Game. In advance of the LP, the group shared the record’s first single, “Light On,” as well as a whimsical music video to accompany the track.
12 promises a new chapter–both sonic and otherwise–for White Denim, who cited Nick Lowe, Jonathan Richman, Doug Sahm and Joe Jackson as the record’s key influences. The bright tones of “Light On” offer a telling snippet of the band’s most uplifting record to date; as the first song he wrote for the record, Petralli explained that “Light On” helped serve as a “consistent reminder to focus on the positive and to continue creating with little regard for potential outcomes.” Along with the band’s new 70s-inspired garage rock feel, 12 tracks Petralli’s growing involvement with production: “This is the first White Denim record where I’ve engineered and been the main producer,” he shared. “I’ve touched every sound that’s on there,” Petralli added.
Before heading on tour, White Denim is scheduled for two festival appearances, including Austin, Texas’ Sagebrush Festival on Sept. 26 and Alexandria, Va.’s Aslin 9th Anniversary Festival on the 28. The band will then venture across the pond in December, kicking off a series of England performances at The Waterfront in Norwich on Dec. 5. After playing at London’s Rough Trade East the following night, White Denim will head to Leeds, then three Rough Trade locations–Liverpool, Nottingham and Bristol–before capping off the run at CHALK in Brighton.
“Light On” is out now, with 12 available for pre-order. A full tracklist and complete list of upcoming tour dates are to follow, with tickets and more information available here.
12 – White Denim
1. Light On
2. Econolining
3. Flash Bare Ass
4. Cat City #2
5. Look Good
6. Second Dimension
7. I Still Exist
8. Your Future As God
9. Swinging Door
10. We Can Move Along
11. Hand Out Giving
12. Precious Child
Upcoming White Denim Tour Dates
Sept. 26 – Sagebrush Festival – Austin, Texas
Sept. 28 – Aslin 9th Anniversary Festival – Alexandria, Va.
Dec. 5 – The Waterfront – Norwich, England
Dec. 6 – Rough Trade East – London, England
Dec. 7 – Leeds University Stylus – Leeds, England.
Dec. 8 – Rough Trade – Liverpool, England
Dec. 9 – Rough Trade Nottingham – Nottingham, England
Dec. 10 – Rough Trade Bristol – Bristol, England
Dec. 11 – CHALK – Brighton, England