The 13 titles of "Boarding House Reach" cover an enormous stylistic range, ranging from rock' n' roll and proto-punk to gospel, blues and country to electro, hard funk and hip-hop. White manages to sound timeless and modern at the same time. White wrote his songs in complete isolation in a Spartan apartment. The album was recorded and produced at the Sear Sound Studios in New York, the Capitol Studios in L. A. and the company's own Third Man Studio in Nashville. In addition to the vocals, White is responsible for acoustic and electric guitars, drums, organ and synthesizer. The artist was supported by a group of prominent musicians such as drummer Louis Cato (Beyonc?, Q-Tip, John Legend, Mariah Carey), bassist Charlotte Kemp Muhl and Neon Phoenix (Kanye West), Lil Wayne, Jay-Z), the keyboarders Neal Evans and Quincy McCrary, the percussionists Bobby Allende and Justin Por?e as well as DJ Harrison and Anthony "Brew" Brewster on the synthesizer. In addition, background singers Esther Rose as well as Ann and Regina McCrary from Nashville's popular gospel trio The McCrary Sisters and White's long-time collaborator Daru Jones (Nas, Talib Kweli) and Carla Azar (Autolux, Depeche Mode, Doyle Bramhall II) on drums.
