Jack White Releases First New Song Since 2014, The Explosive “Battle Cry”

Today, Jack White released “Battle Cry,” his first new tune since 2014’s Lazaretto. The almost entirely instrumental song is heavy on the percussion and gives White some space to flash his characteristically sawtooth guitar sound. The song was released onto Spotify, Tidal and Apple Music, and will be released on Record Store Day as a limited-edition, one-sided, gold-colored vinyl 7” available exclusively at Third Man’s Nashville and Detroit storefronts and select independent record stores. The song is also featured in the teaser for the baseball bat company Warstic’s forthcoming film The Battle of the Hawk and Raven. White, a co-owner of the Detroit-based indie baseball bat maker, also has a brief cameo in the teaser.

Coincidentally, “Battle Cry” is also Warstic’s official anthem, and will serve as Detroit Tigers second baseman Ian Kinsler’s walk-up music. Though the video’s casual usage of Native American characters may strike some as cultural appropriation, Warstic is eager to rebut those claims: Warstic cast Native American activist and artist Anthony Collins in the Native American character’s role, and the film will benefit the Native American Wellness Institute. Watch the video and see the single art below, listen to the song on Spotify here or Apple Music here, and check out Paste’s top 12 Jack White songs here.