Jack White's album to hit March 23; promises new musical textures

Jack White burrowed in a "spartan apartment" in Nashville to write his forthcoming album, a record that looks to be his most musically expansive yet.

"Boarding House Reach" will be released March 23, the Detroit-bred musician announced Friday while touting it as an album that encompasses everything from electro to gospel-blues.

The announcement says White conceived the record's demos employing the sort of equipment he once used as a 15-year-old in Detroit -- including a four-track recorder and basic mixer. But "Boarding House Reach," his first in four years, also promises something quite different from the White Stripes founder, with tracks featuring synthesizers and a backing lineup that includes musicians who made their names in the hip-hop and electronic world.

Those guests include players who have worked with artists such as Beyonce, Kanye West and Soulive, including Louis Cato (drums), NeonPhoenix (bass) and Neal Evans (keyboards). Nashville gospel trio the McCrary Sisters are featured on backing vocals, while singer-songwriter C.W. Stoneking provides spoken-word accompaniment on the track "Abulia & Akrasia."

The Third Man Records release is White's first since "Lazaretto" in 2014.

White released the album's first single, "Connected By Love" and its flipside "Respect Commander," on Tuesday, following a cryptic video teaser last month.

Third Man will also issue a limited-edition package with custom artwork, supplementary vinyl products and other features, available to the label's Vault subscribers: https://thirdmanstore.com/tmr-vault-platinum-subscription-new

Jack White's "Boarding House Reach" track list:

1. Connected By Love

2. Why Walk A Dog?

3. Corporation

4. Abulia and Akrasia

5. Hypermisophoniac

6. Ice Station Zebra

7. Over and Over and Over

8. Everything You've Ever Learned

9. Respect Commander

10. Ezmerelda Steals The Show

11. Get In The Mind Shaft

12. What's Done Is Done

13. Humoresque