A collaborative, high-energy celebration of garage rock and vintage soul. Polished grooves meet gritty riffs for a record that feels like a Saturday night party.
It’s like the Black Keys threw a massive studio party and invited Beck to bring the loops.
A high-gloss, celebratory fusion of garage rock grit and vintage soul sunshine.
Ohio Players, the twelfth studio album by The Black Keys, represents a significant shift toward a collaborative 'party record' mentality. Moving away from the self-contained duo format of their early years, Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney invited a diverse roster of co-writers and producers, most notably Beck and Noel Gallagher. This resulted in a more eclectic sound that touches on 60s pop, hip-hop-inflected grooves, and classic soul. The album was largely recorded at Auerbach’s Easy Eye Sound studio in Nashville, maintaining their signature analog warmth while embracing a more polished, layered production style. Critics noted the album's lighter, more playful tone compared to the brooding blues of 'Delta Kream' or 'Dropout Boogie.' It serves as a celebration of their influences, featuring a prominent cover of William Bell’s soul classic and guest spots that push the band into new rhythmic territories.
Put this on for
Neon beer sign buzzing above a crowded pool tableWindows down on a humid Friday evening driveBackyard speakers competing with the sound of ice hitting glassesBasement party where nobody is too cool to danceHeadphones on while walking through a city that feels like homePre-game playlist for a night that has no curfewCleaning the house with a rhythm that makes the work feel light
Moments worth waiting for
The infectious, high-pitched backing vocal hook that anchors the chorus of Beautiful People (Stay High).
The unexpected shift into a hip-hop flavored groove during Candy and Her Friends featuring Lil Noid.
The faithful, warm soul recreation of William Bell's I Forgot to Be Your Lover with its vintage string swells.
Sounds like
2024s production with a 2020s soul
Sits beside
Odelay - Beck, Tell Me I'm Pretty - Cage The Elephant, Lazer Guided Melodies - Spiritualized, Consolers of the Lonely - The Raconteurs
Lyrical territory
love_romantic, nostalgia, friendship
03Deviation
Ohio Players · vs · The Black Keys
Artist
This Album
High Energy
Energy · ↑ +13% more than usual
On this album, high energy sits about 13% more prominent than across the rest of the artist's catalogue.
