Wait. What? Jack White just released a new album and there are barely any copies to be found anywhere on the damn planet. It’s time to put on your Sherlock hats, friends. Let’s unveil this wonderful new music mystery.
Jack White has always been a master of the unexpected, but he’s outdone himself this time. For months, the man posted cryptic illustrations on IG, leaving his fans to build dozens of cray-cray hypotheses. And then, it happened: in a move that left everyone in shock, customers at Third Man Records shops in London, Nashville, and Detroit were handed a mysterious white-label vinyl with their purchases. Titled “No Name,” this enigmatic record turned out to be a surprise release from Mr White himself!
No Name is out and just like that, the Nineties are back again
Life is full of surprises. Last Friday, lucky bastards got what looked like a simple, generic album, unaware of what they had in their hands.
In its stories, Third Man Records’ Instagram account mischievously asked the owners to “Rip it,” and rip it they did. Yup. You heard us right: the songs were wandering around the internet as blissful MP3s. Just like in the days of Napster and eMule. This close to dropping a video on MTV. Needless to say, we millennials knew exactly what to do…
Millions of self-proclaimed amateur detectives ransacked the World Wide Web looking for the elusive manna, sharing snippets and full tracks all over forums and social media. Thanks to the internet’s collective enthusiasm, the tracks quickly surfaced online and fans finally got the chance to listen to Jack White’s new opus.
Is Jack White’s No Name a good record?
The mystery and excitement surrounding “No Name” are exactly what makes Jack White a beloved figure in the music world. And just like everyone else, we couldn’t wait to listen to this new album.
From the very first notes, we were captivated by this record.
Jack White’s “No Name” is a raucous, powerhouse of an album. In the last couple of days, social media buzzed with fans saying it reminds them of classic White Stripes. Some even thought Meg White had returned and, indeed, there’s a lot of primal stomping in these tunes.
We have a slightly different opinion: the record takes Jack White’s signature sound to the next level, stepping away from the experimental, less mainstream, vibes of « Boarding House Reach » while still keeping things wildly fun!
Each untitled song puts music to the front, with a dashing intensity. Jack White is a rock master and, In « No Name », his guitar does not, even once, gently weep. No, it rooooars, loudly, unapologetically. Each note grips you and almost makes you dizzy with joy. The lyrics talk about modern narcissism, the decay of institutions, and a disappointing God. Sharp, cynical, sometimes funny, they — and yes, we’ll paraphrase the work of another one of Jack’s bands — « cut like a buffalo ».
In our opinion, this new album will win over both hardcore fans and anyone looking for a killer rock record. The music is, indeed, way more accessible, and the pleasure is instant in a very cheeky and playful way. We plan on spinning this gem on repeat for months, but we won’t leave you hanging: check out our top picks #1, #2, #7, and #13.
Thanks for this new gem, Jack! 💙💙💙
PS: Did you know we baked some beautiful cakes to celebrate Jack White’s genius? Go check out our infamous Blunderetto Cheesecake and our fantastic White Stripes Whoopie Pies.
