Recommended tracks: “Where’s There’s Smoke, There’s Fire” “You Got To Lose” “It’s A Dream”
Artists you might like: Alabama Shakes, Eagles Of Death Metal, The Kills
The Black Keys are back!
After experimenting with Cajun influences in Dropout Boogie, the Ohio-based gritty blues rockers have returned to their roots from their early records such as Attack & Release, Brothers, and El Camino. Their new record, Peaches!, retains the familiar sound of blues rock, soul, and a slight twang of country with inspiration from North Mississippi blues and crate digging from other artists as inspiration.
Rocking into high gear on this record is “Where There’s Smoke, There’s Fire.” It’s a combination of bluesy guitar riffs and grooves, and Auerbach’s smoky vocals give it an environment that feels lived-in and raw. The song was originally written by Willie Griffin.
“Stop Arguing Over Me” opens with an arrangement of drums and a playful yet rockabilly charm. This song follows a couple getting into an argument while the singer pleads with the woman to stop following him.
Segueing from arguments to “Who’s Been Foolin’ You,” the band takes inspiration from Jimi Hendrix’s psychedelic guitar riffs in the first few seconds. It later transitions into a world of rhythmic grooves and crunchy riffs, giving it off a walk-on vibe that could be played over a scene of someone entering a ballpark and stepping up to bat.
“It’s A Dream” takes the route to the Mississippi Delta Blues as the harmonica sets the atmosphere. Guitar riffs tonally change over the course of the track from the being in the background into a psychedelic trance of a fever dream about a place from an episode of The Simpsons where Homer eats a rare pepper and goes on a psychedelic trip.
“You Got To Lose” is the standout track on the record. It’s a high-octane track bursting at the seams with the guitar as the main character as the chords progress to a rip-roaring blues rockabilly vibe. “Tell Me You Love Me” takes a sudden tonal shift as the soft guitar grooves dominate. It’s a flirty, romantic track as the narrator tells the girl that she loves him through a simple tell via the eyes.
“Nobody But You Baby” is the final track on the record. It opts for a mellow vibe that matches the romantic undertones, featuring Auerbach’s smooth yet smoky vocals and Carney’s slick guitar riffs. The song is best suited for a romantic night at a drive-in theatre or at a candle-lit dinner.
The Black Keys’ Peaches! takes listeners on a Delta Blues trip from Chicago to Mississippi as the band goes back to their garage rock blues roots, where the journey is all that matters. It’s worth adding to the playlist for whatever mood you’re in.
Keep up with The Black Keys: Facebook // Instagram // X // YouTube // Bandcamp
