The Black Keys: True Blue

By Louie Villanueva, May. 22, 2014 —

Turn Blue marks the Black Keys’ eighth studio album and sees the duo continue to grow.

The psychedelic album cover and psych-rock soul reflect the style of co-producer Danger Mouse. This is the band’s fourth collaboration with the producer, known for his work with Jay-Z, Gorillaz and Beck.

With morose lyrics and a tempo slower than 2011’s El Camino, the album not only echoes my previous time wasted in a relationship, but also guitarist Dan Auerbach’s recently failed marriage.

The opening track, “Weight of Love,” features a psychedelic two-minute intro before lyrics like “Dance all night cause people / They don’t wanna be lonely / Never wanna be lonely,” as if they’re trying to make us blue.

Melancholy aside, the album begins with radio friendly singles like “Turn Blue” and “Fever,” before sliding into familiar bluesy tracks like “It’s Up to You Now.” The album finishes strong, albeit over-produced on “Gotta Get Away.” The album is presumably getting away from the Keys’ old sound and Auerbach’s succubus.

Expect car commercials and sports games to include songs from this new album, because Dan and Patrick have discovered the key to happiness—money — money well deserved because this album rocks.

See the Black Keys and forget about your past at the Saddledome on Oct. 27.