On the heels of their recent single “I’ll Make You See God,” Afghan Whigs will release their first album since 2017, How Do You Burn?, on September 9. The 10-track set features the first appearance on a Whigs album by the late Mark Lanegan, who collaborated with Whigs leader Greg Dulli on a number of other projects over the past 20-plus years, including their band Gutter Twins.
Another preview track from the new album, “The Getaway,” is out today in tandem with a dramatic, astronaut-themed music video directed by Philip Harder and Patrick Pierson. How Do You Burn? extends Dulli’s relationship with BMG, which released his 2020 solo album Random Desire in tandem with the artist’s Royal Cream imprint.
Beyond Lanegan, whom Dulli says gave the album its name, How Do You Burn? includes contributions from several musicians who have long been in the Whigs’ orbit. Vocalist Susan Marshall appears on “Catch a Colt,” marking her first appearance on a Whigs record since 1998’s 1965, while singer Marcy Mays, best known for her work on “My Curse” from the Whigs’ 1993 classic Gentlemen, returns here on “Domino and Johnny.”
Former Whigs tourmate Van Hunt lends a hand on “Jyja” and “Take Me There,” the latter of which Dulli describes as “a feral gospel song.” Throughout, How Do You Burn? features Dulli alongside longtime Whigs bassist John Curley, drummer Patrick Keeler, multi-instrumentalist Rick Nelson and former Blind Melon guitarist Christopher Thorn, who is now a full-time member.
The Whigs will support the new album with an extensive tour, beginning with previously announced U.S. dates this month and continuing with a host of just-announced shows in North America and Europe starting in September. For a full list of dates, visit the band’s Web site. How Do You Burn? is available for preorder here.
Afghan Whigs How Do You Burn? track list:
“I’ll Make You See God”
“The Getaway”
“Catch a Colt”
“Jyja”
“Please, Baby, Please”
“A Line of Shots”
“Domino and Jimmy”
“Take Me There”
“Concealer”
“In Flames”
