White Denim Announce New Album '13', Share Lead Single (God Created) Lock And Key
Wednesday, 21 January 2026
Written by Jon Stickler
Photo: Charlie Weinmann
White Denim have laid out plans for their 13th studio album.
Led by James Petralli, the Texas band will release the aptly titled '13' on April 24 via Bella Union, following up 2024's '12'. Petralli said:
"I’ve always wanted to make work that’s a reflection of my life experience. The just-below-the-surface significance to ‘13’ as an album title is that I was born on the thirteenth of August. ‘13’ in numerology can signify independence, creativity, and a solid foundation, but inversely is often considered to be unlucky and can signify chaos and misfortune. Like everyone, I can certainly see both sides in my life."
Offering commentary on power, generational abuse, shame, violence, and survival, while highlighting family and creative freedom, the album features Michael Hunter on keyboards, Matt Young on drums and percussion, and original drummer Josh Block.
There's also contributions from Owen Pallet on strings, Jesse Chandler on clarinet, sax and flute, Kosta Galanoupolis on bass and drums, siblings Griffin and Taylor Goldsmith of the band Dawes, and original White Denim bassist Steve Terebecki.
"I wouldn’t call a project White Denim if it didn't include significant contributions from another founding member of the group," Petralli shared. "‘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."
The record is previewed by the opening track, (God Created) Lock And Key, which serves up a swaggering groove that leans into the band's signature blend of funk and psych-rock. Petralli explained:
"This is a Beefheart / Sun Ra sort of thing. I hope that it’s a somewhat terrifying, startling, and visceral piece for everyone that hears it. Everything I say in that song is the truth. It’s about power, generational cycles of abuse, shame, violence, and survival. It is an articulation of the rage that I feel and hopefully can at least partially conceal successfully most of the time. The things that we all understand and know and see and push down to get through the day."
Head below to view the video, created by cinematographer O'Connor Hartnett. "I have spent the better part of the last five years working in a home studio on my own," Petralli revealed. "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.
"My neighbor O'Connor Hartnett lives 20 feet from my studio and happens to be a talented director of photography. He is, due mostly to proximity, intimately familiar with my process as well as the daily life of my family. 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."
White Demin will play a series of US shows between May 28 and June 6, including stops in Las Vegas and Wells in Nevada, Boulder, Fort Collins and Denver in Colorado, and Dallas and Austin in Texas. Tickets go on general sale at 10am local time on Friday (January 23).
'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
White Denim Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows
Thu May 28 2026 - LAS VEGAS Nevada - Swan Dive (USA)
Fri May 29 2026 - WELLS Nevada - Humboldt Hideaway (USA)
Sun May 31 2026 - BOULDER Colorado - Velvet Elk (USA)
Tue June 02 2026 - FORT COLLINS Colorado - Washingtons (USA)
Wed June 03 2026 - DENVER Colorado - Marquis Theater (USA)
Fri June 05 2026 - DALLAS Texas - AM/FM (USA)
Sat June 06 2026 - AUSTIN Texas - Mohawk (USA)
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