The Afghan Whigs Are in Command of Their Signature Sound

Even for longtime fans, the Afghan Whigs still have some surprises left in them on Soft Control, the fourth release of the reunion era. Greg Dulli has always been an album man, and Soft Control follows the Whigs 2.0 blueprint in this regard: ten tracks, not quite 40 minutes, and a track sequence that makes you adapt a side A/side B mentality. Soft Control front-loads its most accessible tracks on side A, and side B begs to be listened to on headphones. 

“Jungle Roux” kicks off this collection with a slithery synth before Dulli joins in, sounding as good as ever. It contains many Whigs signatures, but blends them in a new way. In a way, it’s as bold a start to the album as the roaring, Stooges-like “I’ll Make You See God” from 2022’s How Do You Burn?, and it shows how Dulli and bandmates are never content to rest on goodwill, even 40 years into it. 

With “House of I” serving as the first taste of the record, it sounded like a lock for the opening track on Soft Control: classic Dulli riff and intensity, with a nod to a line from their canonical Gentlemen album. Even the intro drums recall past bangers like “Miles Iz Ded”. It reminds us that just because the Whigs continue to evolve doesn’t mean they’ve forgotten where they came from. 

The biggest surprise, and obvious pick for best track, is “Duvateen”, an unexpectedly powerful and moving track about making peace with the passage of time, but done Dulli-style. There are still references to evidence and provocative questions (“All because of me / What’s it gonna be?”), but the song’s best moments are Dulli’s wistful recollection of school mischief and his admission that he’s switched out cigarettes for Nicorette. Still, the line that delivers the lump in the throat is “Ease on down the road / Ain’t coming back no more, you see.” This is a new shade for Dulli, reflecting on a life of ups and downs, and coming to some peace. It shouldn’t surprise anyone that Dulli has this type of track in him, but it moved me in a way none of his other songs over the past 40 years have. 

“My Lover” also has a throwback vibe, recalling the band’s successful interpretations of the Supremes’ “Come See About Me” on the Uptown Avondale EP. Instead of recontextualizing a bouncy soul classic to highlight the lyrics’ desperation, this one is an outright pop banger. “The Deepest Part of the Darkest Shadow” is a dark, powerful ballad leavened by some beautiful horns. It wouldn’t be out of place on a Twilight Singers record. 

“Mariah Luster” is also lifted by horns, kicking off the headphones side of the album. “Memphis, Texas” is another pretty slow burn. This pair of tracks live up to that headphones recommendation, perfect for a nighttime listen. From there, the next two songs have an unexpected pop sensibility. “77” teases a spiritual sequel to fan favorite “66”, and while it’s not a direct sequel like How Do You Burn?‘s “Domino and Jimmy” is to “My Curse” from Gentlemen, it is a pop gem that really deserves a moment in the spotlight just as “66” did.

“Loose Talk” is a soaring love song with a catchy chorus, another song that really should be a hit. Closing track on a Whigs album has a lot to live up to, from the majesty of Black Love’s “Faded” to the tense, reflective “Brother Woodrow” on Gentlemen to the cocky strut of “Omerta” and “The Vampire Lanois” on 1965. “A Simulation” is a piano-forward, languorous ballad with strings that brings this collection to a satisfying close. 

There seems to be a little less angst across the ten tracks of Soft Control, but after decades of tumult strewn across album after album, it’s honestly satisfying to absorb the confidence and peace across these tracks. The Afghan Whigs aren’t stopping any time soon. If you’ve seen them lately, you know they are one of the great live acts of this era. Still, they’ve delivered with each album since the reunion, striking the rare balance of satisfying longtime fans with elements of their classic sound while keeping just enough restlessness to make each release stand on its own as part of their legacy. Soft Control would be a great place to dig in if you’re new to the Afghan Whigs, but it is also another rewarding collection for devotees.