The Black Keys

Photo: Kara Murphy · CC BY 2.0

The Black Keys

The Black Keys deliver a gritty punch through driving rhythms and sharp guitar riffs that create an electrifying tension punctuated by moments of raw release.

blues rock · garage rock · indie rock

United States Est. 2001
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The song

“Lonely Boy”

The song features an immediately engaging riff and encapsulates the band's style, serving as a strong introduction to their music.

About The Black Keys

The Black Keys matter because they reconnected a mainstream audience with the raw intensity of blues rock, transforming a timeworn genre into a modern anthem for rebellion and authenticity.
Their music evokes a sense of urgency and grit, becoming a rallying cry for listeners seeking an escape from overproduced sounds.
Their music evokes a sense of urgency and grit, becoming a rallying cry for listeners seeking an escape from overproduced sounds. By channeling the spirit of classic rock while infusing it with contemporary sensibilities, they carved out a significant space in the musical landscape that resonates with both nostalgia and innovation. Their approach is characterized by an unfiltered recording process that captures the organic energy of live performances. Utilizing a mix of stripped-down instrumentation and lo-fi production techniques, The Black Keys create a visceral soundscape that feels both immediate and timeless. This focus on simplicity allows their emotional weight to shine through, making each track resonate on a personal level while maintaining a broader cultural impact. Lyrically, The Black Keys often explore themes of heartache, longing, and the complexities of modern relationships, encapsulating these sentiments in straightforward yet evocative storytelling. Their voice blends sincerity with an undercurrent of irony, creating relatable narratives that feel both grounded and reflective. Each song serves as an exploration of human experience, steeped in personal truths and universal emotions.

17 studio albums· 34 total releases· 6 decades· United States

Full discography

The Black Keys's albums in order, from earliest releases to latest.

34 releases • 17 albums • 1 EP • 1959–2024
Type:

EPs ()

The Six Parts Seven/The Black Keys EP album by The Black Keys

The Six Parts Seven/The Black Keys EP

2003

Live ()

Live at the Crystal Ballroom album by The Black Keys

Live at the Crystal Ballroom

2008

Live album by The Black Keys

Live

2004

Live in Austin, TX album by The Black Keys

Live in Austin, TX

2006

Singles ()

Lo/Hi album by The Black Keys

Lo/Hi

2019

Weight of Love album by The Black Keys

Weight of Love

2015

Gotta Get Away album by The Black Keys

Gotta Get Away

2014

Bullet in the Brain album by The Black Keys

Bullet in the Brain

2014

Fever album by The Black Keys

Fever

2014

Lonely Boy album by The Black Keys

Lonely Boy

2011

Howlin' for You album by The Black Keys

Howlin' for You

2011

Tighten Up album by The Black Keys

Tighten Up

2010

Strange Times album by The Black Keys

Strange Times

2008

You're the One album by The Black Keys

You're the One

2007

Your Touch album by The Black Keys

Your Touch

2006

The Moan album by The Black Keys

The Moan

2004

'Till I Get My Way/Girl Is on My Mind album by The Black Keys

'Till I Get My Way/Girl Is on My Mind

2004

Leavin' Trunk/She Said, She Said album by The Black Keys

Leavin' Trunk/She Said, She Said

2003

Hard Row album by The Black Keys

Hard Row

2003

Have Love, Will Travel album by The Black Keys

Have Love, Will Travel

1959

No releases match the current filters.

Songs to start with

If you'd rather pick a song than an album.

  1. 1

    "Lonely Boy" — from El Camino (2011)

    accessible entry with immediate hook

  2. 2

    "When the Lights Go Out" — from Rubber Factory (2004)

    establishes the sonic palette early

  3. 3

    "Thickfreakness" — from Thickfreakness (2003)

    establishes the sonic palette early

  4. 4

    "All You Ever Wanted" — from Attack & Release (2008)

    accessible entry with immediate hook

  5. 5

    "Busted" — from The Big Come Up (2002)

    accessible entry with immediate hook

  6. 6

    "Everlasting Light" — from Brothers (2010)

    establishes the sonic palette early

Continue your journey

If you liked The Black Keys, start with Royal Blood

A guided entry point we think you'll like.