The Black Keys: Turn Blue

If The Black Keys felt any pressure to follow their mega-successful El Camino (2011), they certainly don't show it on their 10th full-length album. Rather than chase after another batch of hits, Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney have kicked back and indulged in a little sonic exploration. Which might explain why opening track Weight of Love sounds like a scuzzed-up version of Dark Side of the Moon mixed with a soupçon of Air's Moon Safari. Flagship single Fever worms its way into you with its niggling keyboard line and ante-upping coda, while the title track slinks along on a loose guitar riff and squidgy synths. Waiting on Words and Lovers steer smoothly between blues and soul, but Gotta Get Away veers dangerously into Steve Miller Band territory. With Danger Mouse at the console once again, The Black Keys are still firing on all cylinders, though going for a cruise rather than a crash.
Download tracks: Fever, Turn Blue, Bullet in the Brain, Waiting for Words