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the black keys BY OLIVIA JANNUZZI
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ou might live under a rock if you have not heard of The Black Keys yet. This bluesy duo from Akron, Ohio have eight albums under their belt, along with seven Grammys. Not to mention, their 2012 Madison Square Garden show sold out in just fifteen minutes. Their first breakout album, Brothers came out in 2010 with the popular single, “Tighten Up.” The Black Keys are Dan Auerbach (guitar/vocals), and Patrick Carney (drums), two childhood friends who formed the band after dropping out of college. Turn Blue is The Black Keys’ latest studio album. Though not as big of a hit as their previous album, El Camino, it still managed to reach number one in the United States and Australia (which is their first album to top the charts in either country). It was co-produced and co-written by Brian “Danger Mouse” Burton, who has worked with the duo several times, including on their albums El Camino, Brothers, and Attack & Release. Turn Blue was announced on March 21st, 2014, via famous boxer Mike Tyson’s twitter account, and through comedians Tim & Eric who directed promos for the album. Their first single and biggest hit off the album, “Fever” was released on March 24th, and the single “Turn Blue” was released on April 14th. The album itself was released May 13th. “Fever” perfectly demonstrates how The Black Keys traded their garage-band style for a more synth filled, bouncy sound heard throughout Turn Blue. “Fever” is a foot-tapping song with a creepy feel to it that fans either shrug and like, or completely hate because it’s a much different sound than what The Black Keys have produced in the past. This time around, the sound is catchier, sexier, and more polished. Lyrically, it’s alright. The words reflect the heartbreak of Auerbach’s messy divorce that he was going through while making the album, NEWSOUNDMAGAZINE.COM