Article Contributed by Gratefulweb
Published on January 24, 2026
Community and connection form the backbone of 13, the dynamic new album from White Denim, due out April 24 via Bella Union. “I’ve always wanted to make work that’s a reflection of my life experience,” says singer, guitarist, and bandleader James Petralli. Imbued with the same restless, questing spirit that has defined the band since its beginnings in Austin, Texas more than 20 years ago, the album grapples with themes of power, generational cycles of abuse, shame, violence, and survival, while urgently affirming the importance of family and creative freedom.
Petralli’s wide-ranging musical appetite has only grown more voracious with time, delivering 13 as a groove-heavy alchemy of rock, funk, dub-inflected calypso, soul, down-and-dirty blues, and shimmering sunshine pop. That sonic breadth is immediately apparent on the pungent funk-blues of the lead single and album opener, “(God Created) Lock And Key.”
The track opens with a piece of waggish self-mythology — “On the thirteenth day God created White Denim…” — before descending into darker territory. “This is a Beefheart / Sun Ra sort of thing,” Petralli explains. “I hope that it’s a somewhat terrifying, startling, and visceral piece for everyone that hears it.” The song functions as both a declaration of freedom and an expression of gratitude toward his career and audience, marking a step away from what Petralli describes as a period spent worrying about remaining attractive to a hypothetical consumer.
A loving homage to inspirational artists like Captain Beefheart and Pere Ubu, the music explodes into existence, crawls, walks, runs, collapses, and disappears entirely. “It is an articulation of the rage that I feel and hopefully can at least partially conceal successfully most of the time,” Petralli says. “The things that we all understand and know and see and push down to get through the day. ‘(God Created) Lock And Key’ is another way for me to simply say, ‘Fuck it.’”
The song arrives alongside an official video created by cinematographer O’Connor Hartnett. Petralli shares, “I have spent the better part of the last five years working in a home studio on my own. The music has become the mirror. There are aspects there that I like to look at, and then there are other aspects. ‘Lock And Key’ for me is an exploration of some of those other aspects.” He adds that Hartnett, a neighbor living just 20 feet from his studio, was uniquely positioned to capture that process. “This work is a result of his vision and creativity and our connection as neighbors living in a community that is rebuilding after a very difficult year.”
Beyond Petralli being born on August 13, the album title carries layered significance throughout the record. In numerology, 13 can symbolize independence, creativity, and a solid foundation, while also being associated with chaos and misfortune. Fittingly, 13 also marks the thirteenth album in White Denim’s career.
The album features longtime band members Michael Hunter (keyboards) and Matt Young (drums, percussion), along with original drummer Josh Block. Block’s presence — alongside collaborators including Owen Pallett (strings), Jesse Chandler (clarinet, saxophone, flute), Kosta Galanopoulos (bass, drums), and Dawes siblings Griffin and Taylor Goldsmith — underscores both the fluid nature of modern White Denim and Petralli’s commitment to the band’s foundational ethos.
“I wouldn’t call a project White Denim if it didn’t include significant contributions from another founding member of the group,” Petralli asserts. “‘12’ and ‘13’ both feature Josh and Steve in various capacities. I recorded and arranged these last two records for the most part, but I really don’t ever want to be alone. Music has given me a place and purpose in this world, and it’s been the primary way I’ve connected with other people over the years.”
13 proves that Petralli continues to do exactly that — and in imperious style.
Tour Dates
5/28 – Las Vegas, NV @ Swan Dive
5/29 – Wells, NV @ Schellraiser Presents: Humboldt Hideaway
5/31 – Boulder, CO @ The Velvet Elk
6/2 – Fort Collins, CO @ Washington’s
6/3 – Denver, CO @ Marquis
6/5 – Dallas, TX @ AM/FM
6/6 – Austin, TX @ Mohawk (Outside)
13 Tracklist
1. (God Created) Lock And Key
2. Chew Nails
3. Only A Fool
4. Time Time
5. Crossfyre
6. Keep Calling Me (Baby)
7. Earth To
8. That’s Rap
9. Hired Hand #2
10. Ruby
11. Matchbook Baby
12. Quiet Moment
13. Drive Trucks
