With 12, White Denim prove that reinvention doesn’t have to come at the expense of history, it’s a joyous album showcasing James Petralli’s evolution as a producer and songwriter.
White Denim rack up 12 new tunes for their latest album, 12, an exciting new step for the band with their trademark adventurous spirit as always leading the way. After years of line-up shifts and exploring styles, frontman James Petralli now finds himself venturing into unexplored territory, and the results are electrifying. Since their first album in 2008 with hyperkinetic jams like “Shake Shake Shake” and 2009's “I Start To Run,” White Denim have thrived on spontaneity and raw energy. But the pandemic era forced Petralli into a creative pivot. Relocating his family to Los Angeles, and separated from his band during lockdowns, Petralli turned to remote collaborations and digital production techniques to bring 12 to life. “This is the first White Denim record where I’ve engineered and been the main producer,” Petralli shares. “I’ve touched every sound that’s on there.”
The album’s production process represents a departure from White Denim’s roots in live, jam-fueled recordings. Petralli worked with artists near and far, creating intricate, hi-tech tracks without losing the uplifting melodies and rootsy swing fans have come to love. One example is “Swinging Door,” a sun-soaked soul anthem featuring Chicago’s Finom (Macie Stewart and Sima Cunningham), whose contributions came from afar but feel right at home.
Petralli’s lyrics, while often cloaked in his trademark optimism, reflect a period of personal and familial upheaval. From caring for his partner’s ailing father in Austin to homeschooling his children after the move to L.A., the challenges of recent years imbue 12 with newfound depth. Yet, through Petralli’s glass-half-full lens, these struggles are refracted into shimmering, life-affirming songs.
Musically, 12 is both a nod to the past and a leap into the future. Petralli cites avant-pop masterpiece Cupid & Psyche 85 by Scritti Politti as a major influence on the album’s lush, layered production, alongside dub legends like Lee “Scratch” Perry and Dennis Bovell. Meanwhile, his songwriting draws on the energy and wit of Nick Lowe, Jonathan Richman, Doug Sahm, and Joe Jackson. “These guys make very intentional, sophisticated music that still knows how to have a good time,” Petralli explains.