Black Keys Start Working on New Album

When you experience success, why take a break? That appears to be the strategy for the Black Keys. Just releasing their hit El Camino nine months ago, they already have plans to put together a new record. Speaking with Rolling Stone, frontman Dan Auerbach revealed the duo have already started work on a follow-up to their seventh studio album.

Recording, however, has not begun. Instead, the two have put together, essentially, an outline for the new LP. Currently on the road, the planning stage was in July in Nashville, between performances. Official recording is expected to begin later.

Black Keys’ records, Auerbach reveals, are never a fully planned affair. Instead, the sounds begin to take shape after the duo starts work. He explained: "We never know what's going to happen. We don't talk about it. We don't plan it. We start recording, and then all of a sudden it starts to take shape and we have an idea."

He went on to call their releases: "a snapshot of a moment in time. We like to let them be like that. […] Sort of a spontaneous thing."

A new album, however, began as far back as February this year. For now, as the two have not begun to record, no collaborations are in the work. And, although Danger Mouse produced their last three releases, the Black Keys may assume those duties for this release. In fact, Auerbach revealed he has already been producing for Dr. John, Jeff the Brotherhood, Bombino, and other artists already.