Welcome to December. Our final Record of the Month for 2024 is (very suitably) ‘12’, the gloriously full and deeply melodic return of White Denim.
Ever since they first exploded out of Austin Texas back in 2008, White Denim have accomplished the rare feat of ever-expanding the scope of what they bring into the mix, whilst still sounding instantly and unmistakably like themselves. Their twelfth studio set - not including last year’s fantastic collaborative LP with Raze Regal - is another big step into vast sonic pastures and their most ambitious to date.
Watch | White Denim 'Second Dimension'
The backdrop of the record is the pandemic and James Petralli relocating his family to Los Angeles, but aside from the introspection that it brings to some of the lyrics, this is a joyous and very full album. There are light-footed grooves right from the get go, and the kaleidoscopic mix of soul, funk and squelching Southern rock gives it such a kaleidoscopic energy. Especially with the mix of guest vocals, these are some of their biggest pop moments, but very much through the 70s prog lens.
Watch | White Denim 'Light On'
12 is a real joy. It has an infectious confidence, oozing flare throughout, but never to the detriment of keeping the vibes positive. One of them studio geniuses, Petralli can stack the entire mix with pops and whirls and riffs and analogue hues to the very limits, but everything bops along in the same direction and that is the real trick.
A beauty.
Pressed on Milky Clear colour vinyl. Our CD and LP copies include a very limited, hand signed and drawn postcard.
Available in three, six or twelve month configurations, you can join the Drift Record of the Month Club and start adding to your amazing collection. Each month you will receive one new album on either vinyl or CD, based on your subscription type. The first delivery (whether CD or LP) will also include a complimentary Drift Pin.
Find out more here.
Recent 'Record of the Month' albums at Drift have included; Kim Deal, W. H. Lung, Kit Sebastian, The Big Club, Orquesta Akokán, O., Mdou Moctar, Gustaf, Adrianne Lenker, William Doyle, Bill Ryder-Jones, Harp, Hotline TNT, Black Pumas, Bonnie "Prince" Billy, Georgia, Cory Hanson, Overmono, North Americans, H. Hawkline, Yo La Tengo, The Murder Capital, Goat Girl, Black Country, New Road, Jane Weaver, Dry Cleaning, Squid, White Flowers, Stephen Fretwell, Chubby and the Gang, Low, BADBADNOTGOOD, Damon Albarn, Geese, Silverbacks, Cate Le Bon, Huerco S., Daniel Rossen, Kevin Morby, Vintage Crop, Viagra Boys, The Lounge Society, Jockstrap, Trevor Beales, Aoife Nessa Frances and Sarathy Korwar.