LISTEN: The Black Keys Get Down and Dirty on “Eagle Birds”

It’s the first track from the Ohio band’s aptly titled new album, “Let’s Rock.”
LISTEN: The Black Keys Get Down and Dirty on “Eagle Birds”

It’s the first track from the Ohio band’s aptly titled new album, “Let’s Rock.”

Words: Scott T. Sterling

photo by Alysse Gafkjen

April 25, 2019

The Black Keys have returned, and they’re ready to rock.

The hard-driving Ohio duo has revealed “Eagle Birds,” a down-and-dirty blues-rock blast that serves as the second single from the group’s appropriately titled forthcoming ninth studio album, “Let’s Rock.” No, that’s not a typo—the quotation marks are part of the album title.

“Eagle Birds” is a rollicking rave-up of fuzzy guitars and a surprisingly smooth vocal performance from Dan Auerbach, with drummer Patrick Carney dutifully pounding away at the stomping beat.

“When we’re together we are The Black Keys, that’s where that real magic is, and always has been since we were sixteen,” Auerbach said in a press statement. “The record is like a homage to electric guitar,” added Carney. “We took a simple approach and trimmed all the fat like we used to.”

“Let’s Rock” is set for release on June 28 via Easy Eye Sound/Nonesuch Records.