Whitney have always had a gift for turning the everyday into something luminous, but Small Talk feels like the album where they’ve distilled everything they’ve been chasing since their debut into one cohesive statement. Set for release November 7th on AWAL, the Chicago band’s fourth record is not just their most affecting to date, it’s arguably their best, full stop. If their past albums flirted with brilliance, this one weds it, an effortless blend of their signature soft-focus soul, shimmering folk-rock warmth, and tenderly crafted pop that glows from the first note to the last.

Julien Ehrlich and Max Kakacek spoke candidly with us about the making of this record, and what came through most clearly was a sense of freedom. Every instrument sits exactly where it should, every harmony breathes, and yet the album never feels overworked. Partially recorded in the confines of their apartment, it quickly proved you don’t need multimillion-dollar studio space to create something that’s as grand as this is.