Chicago indie-soul duo Whitney (Julien Ehrlich and Max Kakacek) have released “Evangeline,” a gorgeous and dramatic new single featuring the ethereal vocals of GRAMMY-winning songwriter Madison Cunningham (who also guested on the recent Midlake album). The track is the final preview of the band’s fourth album, Small Talk, set for release this Friday, 7th November, via AWAL.
“Evangeline” is a testament to the band’s evolving artistry. “The most crucial moment… came when… we leaned into the theatricality of the chorus,” says Ehrlich, noting the addition of midi timpanis and string pads. The idea to make it a duet came much later, and Cunningham’s involvement was a perfect fit. “I’m a genuine fan of Whitney,” Cunningham stated. “It’s not often that I’m stopped in my tracks by a song… the sound of this whole record from front to back is staggering to me.”
Watch the accompanying video, directed by Steph Rinzler @plant.prophet, produced by Anahita von Andrian-Werburg @anahitavonandrian, and animated by Romualdo (“Wabie”) James Velasquez III @wabievee
Hailed as their “unequivocally best and most affecting album,” Small Talk marks a return to form. The duo began recording the 11 tracks in Summer 2024, opting to work sans-producer for the first time since their breakout 2016 debut, Light Upon the Lake. This approach allowed them to craft incandescent songs that both tug at familiar heartfelt strings and demonstrate significant creative evolution.
To support the album, Whitney is embarking on a world tour, including a EU/UK run in February 2026 with stops at London’s Hackney Church and The Academy Dublin, followed by North American dates in the spring.
Small Talk is available for pre-order now: https://www.whitneytheband.com/
TOUR DATES 2026
Fri Feb 6 – Paris @ Gaite Lyrique
Sat Feb 7 – Lyon @ Epicerie Moderne
Sun Feb 8 – Milan @ Magnolia (main room)
Tue Feb10 – Geneva @ Antigel Festival 2026
Wed Feb 11 – Munich @ Hansa 39
Thurs Feb 12 – Berlin @ Lido
Sat Feb14 – Copenhagen @ DR Studie 2
Sun Feb 15 – Hamburg @ Knust
Tues Feb 17 – Brussels @ AB Ballroom
Wed Feb18 – Utrecht @ Tivoli Vredenburg (Pandora Hall)
Thurs Feb 19- Cologne @ Gebäude 9
Sat Feb 21 – Dublin 1 @ The Academy Dublin
Sun Feb 22- Manchester @ Band on the Wall
Tues Feb 24 – Glasgow @ The Art School
Thurs Feb 26 – Bristol @ Electric Bristol
Fri Feb 27 – London @ Hackney Church
Sat Mar 7- Seattle, WA @ The Showbox
Sun Mar 8- Portland, OR @ Revolution Hall
Wed Mar 11- Felton, CA @ Felton Music Hall
Thurs Mar 12- San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore
Fri Mar 13 – Los Angeles, CA @ Lodge Room
Sat Mar 14 – Los Angeles, CA @ Lodge Room
Tues April 7 – Kingston, NY @ Assembly
Wed April 8 – Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
Thurs April 9 – Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
Fri April 10 – Cambridge, MA @ The Sinclair
Sat, April 11 – Cambridge, MA @ The Sinclair
Sun April 12 – Portland, ME @ The State Theatre
Tues April 14 – Ardmore, PA @ Ardmore Music Hall
Wed April 15 – Washington DC @ 9:30 Club
Thurs Apr 16 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Thunderbird Cafe
Fri April 17 – Toronto, ON @ The Concert Hall
Sat April 18 – Montreal, QC @ Théâtre Beanfield