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Despite White Denim’s head honcho James Petralli claiming his band simply purvey “interesting up-tempo rock and roll”, every record preceding latest release ‘Performance’ has always drawn on a broad swathe of contemporary musical styles, the Texas quartet keeping the listener guessing at every turn.
Released on Berlin’s supercool ‘City Slang’ records, home to an eclectic mix of North American bands, including Lambchop and Sebadoh, ‘Performance’ sees White Denim entering an exciting new phase. Firstly, a change of personnel brings in two new recruits, drummer Conrad Choucroun and Michael Hunter on keys both making their White Denim debuts whilst secondly, the completion of the band’s very own studio ‘Radio Milk’ situated slap bang in the middle of their hometown Austin means they can nip in and out as and when they please, perhaps adding to the more laid-back feel of ‘Performance’, freed from the constraints of set studio booking times
On first listen, you get the feeling the new line-up seems to have freshened things up, Choucroun’s stint with experimental rock legends NRBQ conspicuous here as ‘Performance’ stretches the WD fusion envelope even further, perhaps reining back in from some of the tautness of “Stiff”, instead reverting to a more laid-back groove this time around. Nevertheless, the two newbies sound like they’re more than just guns for hire here, their collaborative input clearly evident on this long-player.
Lead-off single ‘Magazin’ is part R&B, part seventies glam, frenetic brass textures wrapped around a meaty guitar riff reminding the listener of Eno-era Roxy. Title track ‘Performance’ is a smash and grab affair, a loose Latin shuffle turbocharged through an intergalactic middle eight whereas ‘Fine Slime’ is a more straight ahead Texan blues boogie that wouldn’t feel out of place on Tres Hombres, before going into full freak-out mode towards the end.
‘Double Death’ comprises a funky sun-drenched road trip with a delicious booty shaking yet frustratingly underused soft centre, Petralli’s vocal going full falsetto complete with strangely alluring accompanying handclaps leaving the listener wanting more as the hips start to wiggle. The furiously catchy ‘It Might Get Dark’ is yet another smorgasbord boasting more infectious blues grooviness at its heart, seemingly urgent and languid at the same time.
Penultimate track ‘Backseat Driver’ stylishly fuses funk, soul and Latin, the band arguably saving the best until last as ‘Good News’, a driving acoustic mix of Frampton meets Supertramp with yet more interesting electronic smatterings around the edges, helping everyone maintain that late summer vibe for as long as possible.
Words - Mike Price
White Denim official
Performance is out Friday August 24th on City Slang
