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By Best Newspaper Editor
The Black Keys are renowned for their bracing garage rock, an elastic intertwining of blues and fuzzy guitars that has garnered them critical acclaim and a string of hits. But on their 12th studio album, “Ohio Players,” Akron natives Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney streamline the guttural thundering of “Lonely Boy” and “Lo/Hi” for a bit of a stylistic makeover.
First single “Beautiful People (Stay High)” is unabashed pop-rock, while tracks written with Beck and Noel Gallagher follow similar melodic trails.
Stylistic Shift on “Ohio Players”
“Ohio Players,” out April 5, will be supported by the 31-date International Players Tour, which traverses the U.S. from September 17 to November 12. Tickets are on sale at 10 a.m. local time Friday via livenation.com.
Record Hangs Inspire New Songs
In a recent joint conversation, Carney and Auerbach explained the influence of “record hangs” on their new songs, how hip-hop from Juicy J and Lil Noid blended into their sound, and why Beck is “a superhero talent.”
Album Title and Collaboration with Noel Gallagher
On the album title, Carney mentioned how they arrived at the decision, stating, “Naming albums is almost the most difficult part (of the process).” They have been doing record hangs, inviting friends to join, and drawing inspiration from the music they play. The album cover of the Ohio Players also played a part in the decision-making process.
The Black Keys also shared their experience of working with Noel Gallagher. They reached out to Gallagher multiple times, and when they learned that their neighbor used to be Oasis’ booking agent for 20 years, they asked for their help. Gallagher finally responded, and the collaboration took place over a four-day period in January 2023 in London.
Openness to Collaboration
The Black Keys have become more open to collaborations as they have developed as musicians. Their self-assurance and confidence in their abilities have led them to a point where they can actively pursue creative collaborations. This newfound openness is represented by their work with Beck, Juicy J, Lil Noid, and other artists.
Incorporating Hip-Hop Artists
Auerbach mentioned his discovery of underground Memphis rap from the 1990s and early 2000s, which influenced their work with hip-hop artists like Juicy J and Lil Noid. The record hangs and their exposure to a variety of music led to a desire to recreate the magic of certain records. This desire to recreate and explore new sounds ultimately shaped the direction of their latest album.
