Returning with his first solo material in four years, Jack White has released his new cut ‘Taking Me Back’. The track combines the bluesy rock of album Lazaretto, and the distorted mayhem of Boarding House Reach.
The single, which appeared in the brand-new video game trailer for Activision’s upcoming, Call of Duty: Vanguard, is the 12x GRAMMY Award-winning musician’s first artistic statement since the release of his experimental bonanza – Boarding House Reach.
Alongside this, an alternative version, aptly titled ‘Taking Me Back (Gently’) was shared at the same time, accompanied by a space-themed visualiser.
‘Taking Me Back’ is a smorgasbord of stuttering effects and synth embellishments, led by an unpredictable guitar that gradually climaxes into a pulsating crescendo. Percussion clatters its way through the four-minute storm, reminiscent of Lazaretto’s most dynamic and rage-inducing spots. Despite its energy, the track is absent of the intricacies and charisma found on previous material like ‘The Black Bat Liquorice’ or ‘Would You Fight For My Love?’. Interestingly, it is the calmer sister-track ‘Taking Me Back (Gently)’ that steals the show.
Fans may have forgotten White’s folksier side, due to the digital escapism of Boarding House Reach… but this rendition is a reminder of his unique and eccentric contribution to rock.
There’s an old saying in the world of mixing and mastering – Louder isn’t necessarily better. White’s guitars may spurt like splattered paint on a canvas but is there a compelling song underneath? Thanks to the warm and vintage-licked ‘Taking Me Back (Gently)’… there may well be.
Words by W.P Millar
I’m a 60 year old female hippy and many years of GREATFUL DEAD, MUDDY WATERS, BUDDY GUY, BB KING, RL BURNSIDE, JOHN LEE HOOKER AND MANY MORE AND WORKED IN MUSIC INDUSTRY for BLUES & ZYDECO ARTIST……MY DAUGHTER TURNED ME ON TO JACK WHITE LAST YEAR AND I WAS HOOKED THAT VERY MOMENT !! HE IS DIFFERENT THAN ANYTHING I HAVE EVER SEEN. I BEGAN DIGGING AT EVERYTHING I COULD FIND ABOUT HIM. IN MY WORDS HE’S A “GENIUS” ONE THING THAT BOTHERS ME IS HEARING FANS TALKING ABOUT NOT BEING ABLE TO BRING CELL PHONES. IF THEY CAN NOT RESPECT HIM THEN THEY SHOULDN’T BE THERE !! ENJOY THE MOMENT !!! I WOULD GIVE ANYTHING TO MEET HIM AND/OR SEE HIM LIVE.