The Black Keys
Ohio Players
★★★★
NONESUCH
IF THE BLACK Keys sounded like a duo running on the fumes of inspiration on 2022’s Dropout Boogie, with this follow-up, they’ve returned with a full tank. Tangentially named after the US funk band, Ohio Players sees the Keys relinquish complete control by throwing open the door to a parade of collaborators – Beck and Dan The Automator on the party-starting Beautiful People (Stay High); Greg Kurstin and Noel Gallagher elsewhere.
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READ MORE: The Black Keys interviewed: "We have the only album that has both Noel Gallagher and Alice Cooper on it."
The latter features on the characteristically big singalong ballad On The Game, cut live at Toe Rag Studios in London, while the stomping Don’t Let Me Go sounds like a great lost FM hit, highlighting the fact that this is the most streamlined and tunes packed Black Keys album since 2011’s El Camino. Overall, it’s the sound of a band rejuvenated.
Ohio Players is out now on Nonesuch.
Listen/Buy: Spotify | Apple Music | Amazon | Rough Trade | HMV
Tracklisting:
This Is Nowhere
Don't Let Me Go
Beautiful People (Stay High)
On the Game
Only Love Matters
Candy and Her Friends feat. Lil Noid
I Forgot to Be Your Lover
Please Me (Till I'm Satisfied)
You'll Pay
Paper Crown feat. Beck & Juicy J
Live Till I Die
Read Em and Weep
Fever Tree
Every Time You Leave
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