When it comes to sound and genre, The White Album is renowned for its wide-ranging mix—spanning rock, folk, blues, and beyond.
This musical diversity stems largely from the individual journeys and creative explorations the band members experienced during the making of the album—particularly their retreat to India and deep dive into meditation, which I’ll explore more in the group identity section later on.
The album also marked The Beatles’ transition to eight-track recording, enabling more complex layering and greater freedom to experiment within their songs. One standout element of the album’s sound comes from the band’s unconventional use of small recording spaces—such as a utility closet—which added a distinct texture to the recordings.
Revolution 9 is especially notable in terms of production. With its nearly indefinable, avant-garde sound collage, the track was heavily influenced by composers like Karlheinz Stockhausen. It showcases just how far the band was willing to push boundaries, stepping beyond traditional song structures into bold, experimental territory.