BLACK KEYS – OHIO PLAYERS

Description

Released in 2024, Ohio Players finds The Black Keys leaning into a collaborative, party-ready spirit that departs from their usual insulation as a duo. Inspired by their frequent record hang DJ sets, Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney recruited an eclectic cast of contributors including Beck, Noel Gallagher, and Dan the Automator to craft their most diverse sounding project to date. The album serves as a colorful survey of their record collections, blending their signature garage-blues foundation with 1960s soul, Memphis funk, and even splashes of 1990s slacker-rock. High-energy tracks like Beautiful People (Stay High) and the Beck-assisted Paper Crown showcase a more adventurous, pop-forward production style that prioritizes groove and melody. While it remains rooted in the midwestern rock identity suggested by its title, Ohio Players functions as a vibrant, kaleidoscopic celebration of the band’s wide-ranging musical influences.