Is Dropout Boogie a good place to start with The Black Keys?

Yes, Dropout Boogie is recommended as a starting point for new The Black Keys listeners. The album blends gritty blues rock with catchy hooks, capturing a raw yet polished sound that's unmistakably The Black Keys. Dropout Boogie marks The Black Keys' eleventh studio album and their first release since the commercial success of their 2019 album, Let's Rock. This album arrives during a period of renewed creativity for the duo, showcasing a return to their garage rock roots while incorporating more diverse influences and collaborations.

Who is Dropout Boogie for?

Dropout Boogie works well if you're into playful sing-alongs with friends, steady groove for road trips and short bursts of energetic fun.

How many songs are on Dropout Boogie?

Dropout Boogie has 10 tracks, running approximately 34 minutes.

Dropout Boogie

The Black Keys · 2022

34 min · 10 tracks · indie rock

The album blends gritty blues rock with catchy hooks, capturing a raw yet polished sound that's unmistakably The Black Keys.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Wild Child Start here — This opening track sets an energetic tone with its infectious rhythm and lively instrumentation, encapsulating the album's overall spirit.
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For the Love of Money — A standout cover that reinterprets a classic funk anthem, showcasing the band's versatility and skill at blending genres.
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Good Love — This song features a tight groove and soulful vocals that highlight the interplay between Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney, exemplifying their chemistry.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

50 /100

Foothills

Higher than 23% of albums we've rated

The album showcases solid songwriting and energetic performances but lacks standout tracks that elevate it further.

What we noticed

The first three tracks feature driving rhythms and prominent guitar riffs, establishing a high-energy opening.
Several songs incorporate call-and-response vocal patterns, enhancing the interaction between the lead vocals and instrumentation.
The album includes moments of dynamic contrast, such as the shift to softer instrumentation in 'How Long', which provides a breather before returning to more intense tracks.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

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

playful sing-alongs with friends
steady groove for road trips
short bursts of energetic fun
easygoing background for gatherings

Maybe skip if you

prefer lengthy, complex compositions
seek heavy emotional introspection

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Late Career Highlight — Shows continued vitality and creativity during the band's later career.
Themes: garage rock revival· bluesy grit· funk reinterpretation
Career context: Dropout Boogie marks The Black Keys' eleventh studio album and their first release since the commercial success of their 2019 album, Let's Rock. This album arrives during a period of renewed creativity for the duo, showcasing a return to their garage rock roots while incorporating more diverse influences and collaborations.
Stylistic neighbors: The White Stripes· Royal Blood· Jack White