White Stripes Issue 'Icky Thump' Release Date, Cover Art

First came the icky album title, then, roughly three weeks later, the icky tracklisting was exposed, and next, the White Stripes perplexed fans with an icky word puzzle. Now, the Detroit-based rock duo have revealed the ickiest detail of them all — the album’s release date. It’s official: the White Stripes’ sixth long-player and follow up to 2005’s Get Behind Me Satan, Icky Thump, will hit records stores June 18 in the U.K. via XL and arrive stateside and the rest of the globe via Warner Brothers on June 19.

The new album, featuring “Conquest,” a rendition of Patti Page’s 1950s tune, “St. Andrew,” which delivers vocals via drummer Meg White, and “Rag and Bone,” the Stripes’ first-ever spoken word track, will also dispatch “I’m Slowly Turning Into You,” a song inspired by the work of music video collaborator Michel Gondry. The 13-song 48-minute affair recorded by the Motor City natives in Nashville, will also feature horns and accordions but clearly lacks the presence of piano, CMJ.com reports.

While waiting to feast your ears on the aforementioned album tracks, rest your eyes on the White Stripes’ cover art, situated above. A usual affair for the two-toned candy coated duo, sporting country style rags, and illuminated in flat black and white hues.

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