The Afghan Whigs have shared their latest single, “My Lover,” giving fans another taste of what to expect from their upcoming tenth studio album, Soft Control. Set for release next month on 21 August via Royal Cream/BMG, the new record marks a major milestone for the band as they prepare to celebrate their 40th anniversary. “My Lover” arrives as a prominent feature on the new ten-track album, showcasing the group’s enduring ability to blend intense emotional depth with atmospheric, driving rock soundscapes.
Recording for Soft Control took place across an impressive array of studio spaces, including Fireside Sound in Joshua Tree, Marigny Studios in New Orleans, Gold Diggers Sound in East Hollywood, and Sycamore in Cincinnati. Demonstrating their uncompromising dedication to quality and cohesion, the band originally tracked 22 songs during the album sessions.
Several personal favorites were ultimately discarded to ensure the final release maintained a tight, compelling 37-minute runtime. The resulting project features guest contributions from an exciting roster of collaborators, including former Afghan Whigs drummer Patrick Keeler, vocalist and violist Petra Haden, and My Morning Jacket’s Bo Koster.
Serving as a double-sided invitation to embrace the light while welcoming the darkness, Soft Control stands out as a sterling addition to the band’s singular body of work. The tracklist balances raw reflection across cuts such as “Jungle Roux,” “House of I,” “Duvateen,” “The Deepest Part of the Darkest Shadow,” and “A Simulation.”
To mark four decades together, the band will embark on an extensive 40th-anniversary tour kicking off later this year. The UK and European leg begins on 19 September at Stylus in Leeds, followed by dates in Nottingham, Glasgow, Manchester, and a major headline show at London’s O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire on 24 September. After wrapping up European dates in October, including stops in Paris, Amsterdam, and Brussels with support from Ed Harcourt, the group will head across the Atlantic for a North American tour throughout November.
