White Denim, the restless L.A.-based rockers by way of Austin, Texas, have officially announced their new album 13, set for release on April 24th via Bella Union. Arriving on the heels of 2024’s critically lauded 12, this upcoming collection is described as an incandescent, groove-heavy alchemy of rock, funk, dub, and soul. It’s a record that honours the band’s twenty-year trademark of sonic exploration while grounding itself in the personal evolution of bandleader James Petralli.
To mark the announcement, the band have shared the lead single and album opener, “(God Created) Lock And Key,” alongside a visually arresting video by cinematographer O’Connor Hartnett. The track begins with a playful nod to the band’s longevity—“On the thirteenth day God created White Denim”—before diving into a darker, “pungent psyche-funk-blues” landscape. Petralli describes the song as a visceral, “Beefheart / Sun Ra sort of thing,” noting that it serves as an articulation of rage, survival, and the generational cycles of abuse that people often suppress just to get through the day.
The title 13 carries significant weight for Petralli, who was born on the thirteenth of August. He views the number through the lens of numerology: a symbol of independence and creativity, but also one of chaos and misfortune. This duality is reflected in the album’s voracious musical appetite, drawing influence from artists as diverse as Stevie Wonder, King Tubby, and John Cale.
Musically, the album features a “fluid” lineup that reunites original members Josh Block and Steve Terebecki, alongside contributors such as Owen Pallett and members of Dawes. Despite the experimental textures, tracks like “Time Time” highlight a soulful focus on family and the responsibilities of middle age. Ultimately, 13 finds White Denim at their most imperious, using art to make sense of a complicated life. The album is available for preorder now.
Pre-Order “13”: https://bfan.link/WD13