What does Delta Kream sound like?

A gritty homage to blues roots, blending raw guitar riffs with soulful vocals that echo the southern landscape. Rooted in indie rock and garage rock. Start with "Crawling Kingsnake".

Is Delta Kream a good place to start with The Black Keys?

Yes, Delta Kream is recommended as a starting point for new The Black Keys listeners. A gritty homage to blues roots, blending raw guitar riffs with soulful vocals that echo the southern landscape. Released on May 14, 2021, Delta Kream is The Black Keys' eleventh studio album and marks a return to their blues influences after exploring more experimental sounds in their previous album, Let's Rock. The duo, consisting of Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney, sought to celebrate the music that shaped them by covering classic blues tracks from artists like R.L. Burnside and Junior Kimbrough.

Who is Delta Kream for?

Delta Kream works well if you're into wave-like pacing with peaks, raw energy for late nights and nostalgic storytelling in each track.

How many songs are on Delta Kream?

Delta Kream has 11 tracks, running approximately 54 minutes.

Delta Kream

The Black Keys · 2021

54 min · 11 tracks · indie rock

A gritty homage to blues roots, blending raw guitar riffs with soulful vocals that echo the southern landscape.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Crawling Kingsnake Start here — This track stands out for its infectious groove and powerful instrumentation, effectively setting the tone for the album's celebration of blues tradition.
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Going Down South — With its driving rhythm and soulful energy, this song captures the essence of southern blues while showcasing the band's tight musicianship.
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Coal Black Mattie — This cover features a raw energy that pays tribute to its origins while allowing The Black Keys to imprint their signature sound onto the classic track.
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Walk With Me — The emotional depth in this rendition highlights Auerbach's vocal prowess, creating an intimate connection with listeners through its heartfelt delivery.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

63 /100

Treeline

Higher than 74% of albums we've rated

The album effectively blends traditional blues with modern rock elements, showcasing strong musicianship and cohesive songwriting.

What we noticed

The album features a consistent use of traditional blues structures, with each track maintaining a similar tempo and feel.
Guitar riffs are prominently featured, often taking the lead in instrumental breaks while vocals provide a call-and-response dynamic.
Several tracks incorporate a loose, jam-like quality, allowing for extended instrumental sections that emphasize the band's raw sound.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 8/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

wave-like pacing with peaks
raw energy for late nights
nostalgic storytelling in each track
ideal for road trip vibes

Maybe skip if you

prefer instant gratification tracks
avoid lengthy, immersive listens

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Deep Cut — Returns to blues roots but may not be as widely recognized as other albums.
Themes: southern blues roots· gritty guitar riffs
Career context: Released on May 14, 2021, Delta Kream is The Black Keys' eleventh studio album and marks a return to their blues influences after exploring more experimental sounds in their previous album, Let's Rock. The duo, consisting of Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney, sought to celebrate the music that shaped them by covering classic blues tracks from artists like R.L. Burnside and Junior Kimbrough.
Stylistic neighbors: The White Stripes· Royal Blood· Jack White

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Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

Crawling Kingsnake

The moment shifts from a narrative of longing to a declaration of confidence in the repeated choruses that drive the song forward.

This structural choice amplifies the emotional intensity and transforms personal yearning into a powerful anthem.