Guitarist/vocalist Julia Kugel established her chops with Atlanta’s The Coathangers, winning audiences over with her deceptively clever hooks and propulsive upbeat energy. But as the band put more notches on their touring and recording belt, it became clear that there was more to their repertoire than just jagged guitar lines and infectious charm. Asserting her abilities as a thoughtful and nuanced songwriter, Kugel began fusing golden-oldies, forlorn Americana, and smoky subdued blues under the moniker of White Woods. On songs like “Big Talking”, Kugel provides the kind of soulful introspective pop The Coathangers occasionally hint at, unplugs it from the amps, and delivers its admonishment with a graceful AM radio vibe. Elsewhere, White Woods serves as an outlet for delicate folk music—as on “Where Did You Go”—or David Lynch’s sultry pop-culture nods to the ’50s—as on “Corner Town” and “Paper Cutout”. As The Coathangers have expanded their sound to encompass garage rock, no wave, post-punk, and a myriad of other raw rock styles, Kugel has expanded even further into hushed territories with White Woods.
June 4, 2018
