Greg Dulli Found His Inner Peace — and Made the Afghan Whigs’ Best Album in Years

Greg Dulli used to run on fury. The Afghan Whigs made some of their most essential music out of ego, rage, and volatile emotional terrain and nobody would argue with the results. But Soft Control, the band’s tenth album, operates from somewhere different. Dulli is older, self-aware, and by his own account no longer in competition with anyone, including himself. The edge is still there. The infernos have just been brought under control.

“Jungle Roux” is the lead single and a strong opening statement with its stab-you-in-the-nose bone guitars and cubist refractions of soul and R&B, exactly what you want from a Whigs record, but with a quieter confidence underneath all of it. The album was recorded at Fireside Sound in Joshua Tree, Marigny Studios in New Orleans, Gold Diggers Sound in East Hollywood, and Sycamore in Cincinnati. The band tracked 22 songs and cut it down to a taut 37 minutes. Additional appearances from former Whigs drummer Patrick Keeler, Petra Haden, and Bo Koster of My Morning Jacket.

Soft Control is a double-sided invitation — embrace the light, welcome the darkness, keep one eye on the clock, and stay aware of the absurdity. The fall tour runs through the UK and Europe with Ed Harcourt in support, then North America with Night Moves. Pre-order below.

Pre-order Soft Control ↗

1“Jungle Roux”

2“House of I”

3“Duvateen”

4“My Lover”

5“The Deepest Part of the Darkest Shadow”

6“Mariah Luster”

7“Memphis, Texas”

8“77”

9“Loose Talk”

10“A Simulation”