White Denim 12
Released Dec 6, 2024 Bella Union
Established consensus 6 professional reviews Updated Oct 2, 2026
Broadly positive consensus
White Denim's 12 arrives as a sunlit, studio-crafted statement that balances jubilant pop hooks with inward-looking themes of solitude, mortality and persistence.
How ChoruScore worksCritics' Top Tracks
The songs critics returned to most
Light On
4 critic mentions
“the richly resonant opener “Light On” (for example) gives every impression that at least two bands are playing simultaneously” — The Line of Best Fit
I Still Exist
4 critic mentions
“the way “I Still Exist” weds self-doubt and carrying on even as the odds are stacked against you to a positively heavenly melody” — The Line of Best Fit
Second Dimension
3 critic mentions
“Second Dimension’ has the band stay in 70s radio mode, the synth-filled funk track getting real spacey and sultry vibes.” — Clash Music
Full critic consensus
White Denim's 12 arrives as a sunlit, studio-crafted statement that balances jubilant pop hooks with inward-looking themes of solitude, mortality and persistence. Across six professional reviews the consensus score sits at 80/100, and critics repeatedly point to tracks like “Light On”, “I Still Exist” and “Second Dimension” as the record's clearest high points. Those songs fold Philly-soul warmth, 70s pop sheen and cinematic jazz textures into the band's psych-rock DNA, producing melodic moments that feel both nostalgic and immediate.
Professional reviews praise the album's collaborative, meticulous production and ambitious arrangements, with commentators noting how remote collaboration during the pandemic informed its mix of joy and grief. Critics consistently highlight the record's melodic craftsmanship and genre-blending - soul and pop fusion, woodwind harmonies and trumpet-led balladry on “Precious Child” recur across reviews - even as some reviewers flag occasional uneven stretches in the middle. The best songs on 12 are those that marry technical invention with emotional weight, whether the restless opener “Light On” or the groove-driven “Second Dimension”.
Taken together the critical consensus suggests 12 is a rewarding step in White Denim's evolution: highly praised for its production experimentation and heartfelt performances, with standout tracks that make the collection worth seeking out. Below, the full reviews unpack where the album sparkles and where ambition outpaces cohesion.
Track Ratings
How critics rated each track, relative to this album (0-100). Only tracks that made critics feel something are rated.
Light On
Econolining
Flash Bare Ass
Cat City #2
Look Good
Second Dimension
I Still Exist
Your Future As God
Swinging Door
We Can Move Along
Hand Out Giving
Precious Child
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What Critics Are Saying
Deep insights from 6 critics who reviewed this album
Critic's Take
In his warm, detail-rich voice Daniel Dylan Wray presents White Denim's 12 as a bold stylistic leap where the best songs - notably “Light On”, “Econolining” and “Swinging Door” - crystallise the album's gifts. He writes with keen admiration for Petralli's studio focus and the record's glistening production, praising how tracks like “Second Dimension” and “I Still Exist” channel classic soul while sounding utterly personal. The review frames these best tracks as proof that meticulous, collaborative craft has yielded some of White Denim's hookiest, most ambitious music to date.
Key Points
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The best song(s) marry meticulous studio production with joyous, hooky songwriting, exemplified by "Light On" and "Econolining".
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The album's core strengths are its collaborative breadth, pristine hi-fi production and ambitious, soulful arrangements.
Themes
Critic's Take
White Denim’s 12 is almost sunlit in its ambitions, and the best songs - especially “I Still Exist” and “Light On” - marry self-doubt to heavenly, hooky melodies. Janne Oinonen lingers on how “I Still Exist” weds introspection to Philly-soul lushness, while the opener “Light On” revels in a restless, bittersweet swoon. The closer “Precious Child” is singled out as an elegantly hushed, trumpet-led bruised ballad, rounding the album with emotional honesty. Overall, the record’s joyous messiness and art-pop-soul fusion make these tracks the clearest standouts on 12.
Key Points
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The best song, “I Still Exist”, is best because it pairs self-doubt with a heavenly, Philly-soul-inflected melody.
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The album’s core strengths are sunlit melodies, soulful songwriting, and adventurous, joyously messy production.
Themes
Critic's Take
There is a buoyant confidence running through White Denim’s 12, and the review makes clear the best songs - notably “Light On” and “Hand Out Giving” - anchor that feeling. Sam Walker-Smart writes with an easy, measured pleasure, noting how “Light On” opens with light-footed grooves and “Hand Out Giving” becomes the album's most impassioned moment. The piece frames the record as pop-forward and melodic, leaning into 70s radio textures on tracks like “Second Dimension” while keeping a rootsy core. In short, the best tracks on 12 are the ones that marry White Denim’s earthy instincts with widescreen ambition, making it a late-year stunner.
Key Points
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“Hand Out Giving” is the album's emotional centerpiece, blending country roots with baroque pop grandeur.
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The album's core strengths are its melodic, energetic songwriting and successful fusion of 70s pop textures with White Denim's earthy instincts.
Themes
Critic's Take
The best songs on 12 are where James Petralli’s experimentation pays off, notably “Look Good” and “Second Dimension”, which lock in groove and imagination. Joey Willis hears the album’s most successful passages as warm and introspective - the opener “Light On” frames recurring concerns about loneliness and mortality while “Precious Child” closes with smoky brass that resonates. The record’s middle is praised as its high point, where funk-soul textures and synth-driven arrangements make the best tracks stand out. Yet Willis also notes uneven moments, so the list of best tracks is rooted in those that balance technical ambition with emotional weight.
Key Points
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“Look Good” is best because its duet, groove, and synths most successfully marry technical ambition with soulful feel.
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The album’s core strength is adventurous experimentation born of solitary creation, blending genres and emotional themes of mortality.
Themes
Ho
Critic's Take
White Denim have long been reliable purveyors of blissful psych-rock, and 12 finds them luxuriating in that groove rather than chasing reinvention. The review highlights best songs like “I Still Exist” and “Precious Child” for their sumptuous harmonies, woodwind textures and smoky cinematic jazz, which make them standout tracks on the record. There is also praise for slower cuts such as “Hand Out Giving” for its rich country influence, showing the album's range. Overall the reviewer sounds pleased - measured admiration for craft and texture is the dominant tone here.
Key Points
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The best song is “I Still Exist” because of its sumptuous harmonies and woodwind, creating a light, floaty effect.
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The album's core strengths are textured arrangements and stylistic range from country-tinged slow songs to smoky, cinematic closers.