Song Review: Jack White - âBattle Cryâ
The new, standalone single from Jack White sounds less like a song and more like an ad.
Under normal circumstances, such a sacrilege would be unacceptable. But the instrumental âBattle Cryâ is an ad at heart, so in this instance itâs OK.
Dropped on streaming services April 6, the short track begins and ends with ambient sounds. Between the whoops and hollers, it borrows musically from the Bay City Rollers (dig the âSaturday Nightâ beat!), Gary Glitterâs âRock and Roll Part 2â (hey!) and AC/DCâs Angus Young.
"Battle Cry" represents Whiteâs first new music since 2014 and will also be released as a one-sided, gold-vinyl 45 on Record Store Day, April 22.
The song serves a few purposes. Itâll be the walk-up music for Detroit Tigers second baseman Ian Kinsler, who co-owns the baseball-bat company, Warstic, with White, and is the misnomered theme song for the promotional film âWar Cry: The Battle of the Hawk and the Raven.â The film was made to publicize the Native Wellness Institute, which will receive a portion of all âBattle Cryâ proceeds.
Grade card: Jack White - âBattle Cryâ - C