You may have read White Denim’s frontman, James Petralli, refer to their latest record, D, as their fourth album. That’s because he considers Last Days of Summer, a freely downloadable set released last year, as album number three – and not just a bundle of demos. And with that in mind, and with the awesomeness of D still reverberating, the record is now being given a formal release – which it wholly deserves.

The set was recorded at drummer Josh Block’s home studio, and witnessed the band (which now includes second guitarist Austin Jenkins) throwing caution to the wind – just getting down their influences on tape, whatever shape they may take. And with such eclectic ideas at play, they truly believed it would be back to the nine-to-five once this collection saw the light of day.

With all of the above in mind there is little wonder Last Days of Summer comes across like a band free from the shackles of expectation. The driving and inventive rhythm section (that we have come to expect from the Austin group) roll and run in the shimmering 60s tinged Home Together. Any hint of guitar solos are set deep within the psychedelic setting. The easy-going If You’re Changing lounges with style, banding off stop/start drums and fiddly guitar refrains. The excellent final verse has Petralli picking it up a gear with some fast delivery.

The there’s the jazz-like improv session Light Light Light – it’s a layered set of guitars and brass soloing, entwined with care and attention. This is a talented band losing themselves in areas normally off-limits to the rock and pop crowd. The whole album oozes a more intimate atmosphere – there is a light of touch that is apparent in tracks like the whispered tumble of Our Get or the funk-riffing Shy Billy.

The songs here are vibrant and crafted with love and affection. This is White Denim falling in love with music all over again whatever the consequences – and the rest is history.

-Jon Harper-