The latest album Turn Blue from The Black Keys is one that should catch some ears. The duo of Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney came together in 2001 as a bluesy rock band and since have turned into one of the most prominent ‘garage bands’ of today. After gaining mainstream popularity with their albums Brothers and El Camino, the group dropped their album "Turn Blue" in 2014 after speculation that they would again. And in the era where hard copy music is becoming non-existent, I had to go out and buy it. Yeah...it's that good.
After listening to "Turn Blue" for a few songs, I found that the Black Keys are getting deep with themselves by writing lyrics that includes Auerbach’s messy divorce proceedings that occurred just a year before the album released. The album as a whole gives off a very melancholy vibe, with a stoner rock vibe that brings out a murky guitar and tones that draw comparisons to that of a classic Pink Floyd song.
And I mean come on...how could you not want this hypnotic looking cover art in your Spotify Library?
Lyrically, the Black Keys' have grown as artists from "Girl, you look so good" to "Woman, you done me wrong," the shift in lyrical tone undeniably were affected by Auerbach's personal troubles. "Why you always wanna love the ones who hurt you," he sings over the slow tone of one of my favorite songs, "Year in Review", "Then break down when they go and deserve you." Allusions to being on the road, running from issues, and sickness are often a key note in the songs off of "Turn Blue." The tracks speak volumes, as the growling guitars in "Turn Blue" represents the sound of a band going so deep into their own heads that they lose track of how to get out of their own head. It may sound ludicrous, but from a talented band like The Black Keys, I would not expect anything less.
These are the names of all the songs listed on Turn Blue:
Turn Blue's most surprising moment arrives at the final track: "Gotta Get Away". After listening, opinion was that the title alone suggests that the Black Keys are ready to move on from this uncharacteristic tune they play. Auerbach's unchained vocals work perfectly with classic Carney kick beat perfectly to create the album's most energizing blast-in-a-glass cut, to the point where it's hard not to dream of an entire album of songs like this. My first thought of the song, was a nice long road trip with my friends, or of Summer trips to the beach. With the right sync, "Gotta Get Away" brings those who are looking for a way to get out, to “get away” from everything and escape their busy life for a little bit. This, hands down, is one of my favorite albums that has been made in a long time. I highly recommend to anyone who is looking for a new tune to feed your ears.
