It’s been quite a while since we’ve heard from Jack White. I mean, he’s been out there, keeping himself busy going to baseball games, shooting record players into space, collaborating with era-definining artists like Beyonce and A Tribe Called Quest, and he did put out that collection Acoustic Recordings 1998–2016 last year. As far as new music goes though, it’s been nearly three years since he dropped his last album of fresh material Lazaretto. That’s all changed now.
Without even the courtesy of a head’s up, White unleashed a brand new single onto most streaming services in the middle of the night last night. Titled “Battle Cry,” White’s newest musical creation is short — under three minutes — and devoid of lyrics, but it’s a monster. It sounds like a cross between a European football chant and the buzzsaw riff from the Smashing Pumpkins song “Zero.” It’s an anthemic delight.
You really can’t help but wonder if this new single is a prelude to White’s next solo album. Before dropping Lazaretto a few years back, the Nashville-by-way-of-Detroit guitarist unleashed a similar instrumental track “High Ball Stepper.” Might be time to get those brand new, Third Man record pressing machines churning.
You can listen to “Battle Cry” on Apple Music or on the Spotify player below.
