The Afghan Whigs – Soft Control (Pink/Black Smush with Splatter Vinyl)
Soft Control is the new studio album from The Afghan Whigs, the iconic Ohio band whose combination of gritty alternative rock, soul influence and emotional intensity has remained unmistakable across four decades. Featuring ten new songs, the album brings the group’s established strengths into a fresh contemporary setting while keeping Greg Dulli’s singular voice firmly at its centre.
The supplier notes describe the record as a return to the band’s soulful, hard-edged sound, with Dulli sounding as emotive and distinctive as ever. That balance has always been central to The Afghan Whigs: muscular guitars and dynamic arrangements are matched by writing that is psychologically charged, romantic, confrontational and vulnerable. Soft Control continues that tradition rather than presenting a detached anniversary exercise.
The album includes the singles “House Of I” and “Duvateen,” offering early examples of the mood and energy carried across the full ten-song set. The release also arrives as the band celebrate their fortieth year, giving the record additional significance. Instead of relying only on their history, The Afghan Whigs mark the milestone with new material and a clear sense of forward motion.
This edition is pressed on a visually striking pink and black smush vinyl with splatter. The custom colour treatment makes every copy part of a distinctive pressing and suits an album built around contrast, atmosphere and intensity. It is designed as a collectable alternative to the standard black LP while presenting the same new studio album in full.
For longtime followers, Soft Control represents another chapter in one of American alternative rock’s most individual catalogues. For newer listeners, it provides a direct route into the band’s blend of rock weight, soul drama and Greg Dulli’s unmistakable vocal presence. The limited colour format, anniversary context and ten newly recorded songs make this a strong addition to collections focused on alternative rock, indie rock and darker soul-inflected guitar music.
