Jack White’s ‘No Name’ Runs On Clarified Punk
White's sixth studio album came as a surprise when it was mysteriously handed for free out to Third Man Records customers last month. The record, released officially on every streaming platform on Aug. 2, might be his most refreshing album in years.
In July, cashiers at Third Man Record stores in Detroit, London and Nashville began slipping a mysterious unlabeled white vinyl disc into customers’ bags. Lucky fans went home to spin what turned out to be alternative rocker Jack White’s sixth studio album, No Name. His goal was for fans to spread the word online, a tactic that surprised even White’s publicist, according to Rolling Stone.
It’s an old-school strategy that drives forward an album with a classic White sound, digging into energetic punk and raw blues—while ditching the fuzzy prog rock tendencies of his last two albums, Fear Of The Dawn and Entering Heaven Alive.
After weeks of giving the album away at the store and playing it in full on Detroit radio station WDET 101.9 FM—which is across the street from Third Man Records—White officially released No Name on streaming Aug. 2. Relying on word-of-mouth ahead of its release, news of the surprise album spread like wildfire online, and copies of the exclusive vinyl were being sold on eBay for up to $1,000. Now, fans can pre-order the vinyl release via Third Man Records, set for shipping in early September.
While the new record’s only been on streaming devices since Friday, three of White’s five most popular songs on Spotify are off the album, including That’s How I’m Feeling, Old Scratch Blues and Bless Yourself. It’s a testament to what fans have been yearning for from White for years, with No Name sounding like something from his White Stripes era. It drives forward a more punk and sporadic sound—the album doesn’t trip up on its energy anywhere in its 13 tracks. But despite a more classic and less experimental sound, White is forward-looking and playful. And with an atypical release, those who get it, get it—those who don’t, don’t.
White has been notorious for his DIY approach of taking matters into his own hands. Like most of his solo work today, everything for No Name was completely in-house: Self-produced, recorded at Third Man Studio during the past year and pressed to vinyl at Third Man Pressing.
The whole thing recalls the promo for White Stripes’ 2003 album Elephant. White sent physical vinyl copies to reviewers—most of whom had ditched their record players before a vinyl revival came to fruition in the late 2010’s. White still sings of classic mementos of a fading tech era, like stereos, stick shift cars and hearing a buzzing dial tone when someone hangs up the landline phone.
And though his approach to releasing music will cause a delay in his success on charting/streaming lists, No Name hit No. 1 on the U.S. iTunes chart last week and became the bestselling title in America on the platform, according to Forbes.
White performed a handful of the songs live at Saint Andrew’s Hall in Detroit on Monday, Aug. 5, including Old Scratch Blues, That’s How I’m Feeling, Morning at Midnight, It’s Rough on Rats (If You’re Asking), Archbishop Harold Holmes and What’s the Rumpus?
Album standouts are two songs on varying ends of the spectrum, Archbishop Harold Holmes and Underground. The firstemphasizes White’s voice—and he has a lot to say. It’s a fast-paced tune with White’s quick, rap-like banter describing a member of the clergy who uses religion for selfish purposes. It’s like a having Jehovah’s Witness proselytizer come knocking at your door. It deserves dedicated listening: Play it on repeat, stare at the words online, let White deliver a sarcastic preach. It makes for a fun ass song to sing live with him.
Underground is different, more melodic and folk-driven. It begins a 45-second sole guitar and percussion intro before White saunters in lets songs escape from his throat with a bluesy edge. His rugged vocal contrast with the smoother instrumentation. But like most of his other songs, you never know what to expect as the tune rolls on.
No Name showcases White at his absolute best, as he digs into his past for a sound that puts his growth on full display. If you liked the White Stripes, you’ll love this album. Keep up with White and upcoming tour dates here.
Start with White’s song Underground off No Name. It is a great introduction because it allows for more seamless transitions and less in-your-face-and-ears fuzz pedals. The intro alone had me double take at my phone to make sure I was still listening to White—it’s a refreshing variation for him.
Pay attention to how the pace builds in the intro. It’s different from past White songs, but it gradually leads you into each verse with bluesy, light chords. But keep your ears peeled, because White doesn’t entirely stick with the same progressions throughout.
Kendall Polidori is The Rockhound, Luckbox’s resident rock critic. Follow her reviews on Instagram and X @rockhoundlb, TikTok @rockhoundkp
