The Afghan Whigs have announced their tenth studio album, Soft Control, marking the band’s 40th anniversary since forming in Cincinnati. Fronted by lead singer and songwriter Greg Dulli alongside bassist John Curley, the alternative rock pioneers deliver a taut 37-minute record recorded across Joshua Tree, New Orleans, East Hollywood, and Cincinnati. The lineup is completed by multi-instrumentalist Rick Nelson and guitarist Christopher Thorn, alongside guest contributions from Patrick Keeler, Petra Haden, and My Morning Jacket’s Bo Koster.
The Afghan Whigs explore themes of mortality, power, identity, and personal evolution across the new track listing. The emotional centerpiece, "Duvateen," uses the light-absorbing fabric as a metaphor for aging and the passage of time. Dulli crafted the songs through his signature process of developing guitar riffs and melodies before allowing lyrics to emerge from his subconscious. The songwriter noted that aging has brought a sense of self-aware clarity and quiet confidence, trading the volatile anger of his youth for hard-won inner peace.
The Afghan Whigs lean into their signature sound on Soft Control, blending powerful rock guitars with elements of R&B and soul. Lead single "House of I" offers a caustic kiss-off to a former partner, referencing the album's title concept regarding trampled interpersonal boundaries. Meanwhile, tracks like "My Lover" deliver a stylistic nod to 1960s psychedelic pop while capturing the ambivalence of a volatile relationship.
The Afghan Whigs bring the record to a close with "A Simulation," a six-and-a-half-minute existential track featuring ambient electronics, piano, Mellotrons, and lush string arrangements. Dulli describes the expansive finale as a reflection on the overwhelming nature of modern life and the human search for meaning. Balancing loud volume with introspective songwriting, Soft Control stands as a powerful addition to the band’s four-decade legacy, showcasing Dulli’s vocals at their most refined and expressive.
