White Denim 13
Consensus is still forming across 4 professional reviews. White Denim's 13 announces a creative renaissance for a band two decades into its run, trading safe repetition for bold stylistic exploration. Critics praise the record's blend of funk and soft-rock with touches of psychedelic soul, and note that the band sounds reinvigorated as they push into new textures and collabor
The best song is the opening "(God Created) Lock and Key" because it sets a wildly fun, inventive tone.
White Denim's 13 announces a creative renaissance for a band two decades into its run, trading safe repetition for bold stylistic exploration.
Best for listeners looking for stylistic exploration and psychedelic soul, starting with (God Created) Lock and Key and Only A Fool (feat. Adryon de León).
Explore the full Chorus artist page, discography, and related genre paths.
See where this record sits inside the full critic-ranked discography.
See how 13 stacks up against 12 on Chorus's 0-100 critic-consensus scale, including review depth and standout tracks.
Jump from this record into the broader critic-consensus lists for 2026.
Full consensus notes
White Denim's 13 announces a creative renaissance for a band two decades into its run, trading safe repetition for bold stylistic exploration. Critics praise the record's blend of funk and soft-rock with touches of psychedelic soul, and note that the band sounds reinvigorated as they push into new textures and collaborative turns. Across professional reviews the consensus score sits at 80/100 from 4 reviews, a sign that critics agree the experiment largely succeeds.
Reviewers consistently point to standout moments that capture the album's adventurous spirit: “(God Created) Lock and Key” emerges as a high-energy centerpiece, while collaborations such as “Only A Fool (feat. Adryon de León)”, “That’s Rap (feat. Jessie Payo)” and “Crossfyre (feat. Adryon de León)” underscore the record's willingness to mingle genres. Critics highlight the band’s command of groove and melody, noting how funk-driven rhythms and soft-rock warmth sit comfortably alongside more psychedelic soul passages. The production and arrangements earn praise for serving the songs rather than obscuring them.
Not all responses are unqualified acclaim - some reviewers temper their admiration by pointing to moments of excess where ideas bloom but could have been tightened - yet the prevailing critical consensus frames 13 as a vital, exploratory leap that reinforces White Denim's reputation rather than erodes it. For readers asking whether 13 is worth a spin, the score and reviews suggest it is an essential listen for fans of adventurous, groove-forward rock and a strong addition to the band's catalog.
Critics' Top Tracks
The standout songs that made critics take notice
(God Created) Lock and Key
1 mention
"On the 13th day, God created White Denim."— AllMusic
Only A Fool (feat. Adryon de León)
1 mention
That's Rap (feat. Jessie Payo)
1 mention
On the 13th day, God created White Denim.
Track Ratings
How critics rated each track, relative to this album (0-100). Only tracks that made critics feel something are rated.
(God Created) Lock and Key
Chew Nails (feat. Kosta G & Loud Forest)
Only A Fool (feat. Adryon de León)
Time Time (feat. Dawes)
Crossfyre (feat. Adryon de León)
Keep Calling Me (Baby)
Earth To
That's Rap (feat. Jessie Payo)
Hired Hand #2 (feat. Kosta G)
Ruby (feat. Kosta G)
Matchbook Baby (feat. Jessie Payo)
Quiet Moment (feat. Renata Zeiguer)
Drive Trucks (feat. Owen Pallett)
Get the next albums worth your time.
Critic-backed picks in one clean digest. No clutter.
What Critics Are Saying
Deep insights from 4 critics who reviewed this album
Critic's Take
White Denim sound reborn on 13, a record that revels in stylistic exploration and gleeful excess while still sounding like themselves. The review reads as admiration for a band two decades in that still takes risks and sounds more invigorated than expected.
Key Points
-
The best song is the opening "(God Created) Lock and Key" because it sets a wildly fun, inventive tone.
-
The album’s core strength is its idiosyncratic blend of influences and renewed creative energy.
Themes
