Song of the Day: “Ruby” by White Denim
White Denim’s 13 arrived on April 24th, proving why they are one of the most consistently interesting acts in the indie-rock landscape. For a band that has spent the better part of two decades oscillating between frantic garage-punk and sophisticated prog-soul, 13 feels remarkably... normal. It is the sound of a group realizing that while polyrhythms are impressive, a solid four-on-the-floor beat and inviting some of your friends to join you actually lets people drink their beer without getting a headache. It’s a record that manages to be both technically proficient AND incredibly easy to listen to; respecting your time enough to give you a hook, but respecting your intelligence enough to make you work a little bit to find it.
Historically, White Denim has been a bit of a moving target. Since their debut in 2009, they’ve gone from the jagged, lo-fi outbursts of Fits to the polished, Steely Dan-adjacent sheen of Relaxed. 13 acts as a sturdy bridge between these two identities. It retains the “how-did-they-play-that” rhythmic complexity that makes guitar nerds sweat, but it’s anchored by a more consistent sense of structural economy. James Petralli’s vocals have matured into a soulful, elastic instrument that can handle the sharp corners of the band’s songwriting without getting whiplash.
While the album is a dense collection of highlights, “Ruby” is the ethos of the album distilled down into a single song. It perfectly captures the band’s specific alchemy: high-level musicianship masquerading as a breezy afternoon stroll, and possesses a melodic stickiness that some of the more experimental tracks lack. The album manages to be complex without being “mathy.” You can tap your foot to it without needing a degree in advanced trigonometry. In “Ruby,” the band isn’t just showing off their muscles; they’re actually going somewhere.
The Song
Spotify:
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/song/ruby-feat-kosta-g/1861860657
The Album
Spotify:
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/13/1861860350
The Band
Be sure to check out the Audio Toxicity 2026 Bad Music Detox Protocol (AKA a playlist of songs covered so far…)