The Afghan Whigs have announced their new album Soft Control, due August 21 via Royal Cream/BMG, led by the single “Jungle Roux.” Recorded across sessions in Joshua Tree, New Orleans, East Hollywood, and Cincinnati, the record includes contributions from Patri
The Afghan Whigs are back in motion—this time with a record titled Soft Control, arriving August 21 via Royal Cream/BMG. The first pulse of the album is “Jungle Roux,” a driving new single that arrives as a follow-up to 2022’s How Do You Burn?.
There’s a telling geography to how Soft Control was made. The band recorded the new LP at Fireside Sound in Joshua Tree. Marigny Studios in New Orleans. Gold Diggers Sound in East Hollywood. and Sycamore in Cincinnati. It’s the kind of spread that hints at a band still hunting for the right atmosphere. not just repeating old routes.
The album also carries familiar voices, and some welcome additions. Contributions include former Afghan Whigs drummer Patrick Keeler, vocalist/violist Petra Haden, Bo Koster of My Morning Jacket, and more.
For bandleader Greg Dull, the shift isn’t just musical—it’s personal. In a press release. he said. “I’ve worked hard on my inner peace.” He added. “I was an angry young man. and it fueled my art. ambition and my drive. I wouldn’t change anything because I can’t.” Then he traced the change: “But as I got into photography and other art forms. I realized that I’m not in competition with anyone – including myself.” Dull concludes with a steadier edge to the work: “Now. I know what I’m doing and there’s a quiet confidence that comes with being able to back it up.”.
Soft Control arrives with its own cover artwork and a tracklist that starts fast and keeps moving. “Jungle Roux” leads into “House of I. ” followed by “Duvateen. ” “My Lover. ” and “The Deepest Part of the Darkest Shadow.” The run continues through “Mariah Luster. ” “Memphis. Texas. ” “779. ” “Loose Talk. ” and “A Simulation.”.
Between the album’s August 21 release date and the momentum of its new single. Soft Control is setting up a return that feels less like a comeback tour and more like a reset—one the band members have been recording for months across multiple studios and. in Dull’s words. through a gradual rearranging of how he approaches his own drive.
Afghan Whigs Soft Control Jungle Roux Greg Dull Royal Cream BMG Patrick Keeler Petra Haden Bo Koster music news new album Joshua Tree New Orleans East Hollywood Cincinnati
Wait so Afghan Whigs are back? I thought they broke up like forever ago.
Soft Control sounds like a drug or something lol. But “Jungle Roux” actually kind of matches that whole Joshua Tree/New Orleans vibe they always had, right? Also Greg Dull inner peace… sure.
They recorded it in Joshua Tree and New Orleans and East Hollywood and Cincinnati… so basically everywhere except my town? Anyway I saw “Patrick Keeler” and thought it was gonna be the new drummer, but it’s the former one, so like did they ever leave? Confusing.
I’m not even gonna lie, I didn’t read the whole thing, just saw August 21 and the single name. “House of I” and “779” sound like movie scenes or something. And the whole ‘not in competition with myself’ quote feels like something you’d hear in a self-help podcast right before a comeback tour… so is this a reset or just marketing? Either way I’ll probably listen when it drops.