White Denim - Stiff

At first listen, the new record from Texas rockabillies White Denim could be mistaken for a debut album. It’s has a desperate energy and a fiery, youthful spirit running through it, not to mention the smirky title. In fact, it’s the group’s seventh release, a fact that reflects in the outstanding quality of the four piece’s bluesy, indie rhythms. It’s this combination of zest and technical ability that makes Stiff so initially appealing. Had 2 Know (Personal) is a bundle of rock and roll joy wrapped up in a neat retro parcel and Holda You (I’m Pyscho) sounds as equally vintage as it does contemporary, the scratchy guitar lines reminiscent of summer pop champions Circa Waves and Walk the Moon. Wah-wahs and roaring vocals are mixed in generously. But the novelty value quickly wears off. Whilst the rest of the LP is just as impressively executed as the opening tracks, boredom quickly sets in when the clearly formulaic structure of each song becomes apparent. But all things considered, White Denim have managed to create an upbeat, infectious rock record that sounds different most other mainstream act today and done it decent too.