The Afghan Whigs have made an anticipated return today, releasing two new tracks via Royal Cream/BMG that offer the classic Whigs treatment to unexpected source material. The two covers—”FAKE LIKE,” originally by the Minneapolis-based indie band Poliça, and “DOWNTOWN,” originally by the UK-based band Still Corners—showcase Greg Dulli’s strong vocal ability and dramatic leanings. Both tracks find the band in fine form, sounding fully anthemic and successfully pushing the boundaries of their signature sound.
This exciting new music marks the band’s first release since their critically acclaimed 2022 album, ‘How Do You Burn?’. Dulli shared that both songs were born out of soundcheck jams and that each track holds a particular resonance for him, feeling good to sing because he truly felt the lyrics. Both songs are available for streaming worldwide today, and a limited edition 45 single has been created, sold exclusively by Cincinnati’s own Shake It Records. With 2026 marking the 40th anniversary of The Afghan Whigs, many plans are already in the works for the band and will be announced in the new year.