The Black Keys Unveil 12th Studio LP ‘Ohio Players,’ Drop Debut Single “Beautiful People (Stay High)”

Photo by Jim Herrington

The Black Keys have announced their twelfth studio album, Ohio Players, which will be released on April 5 via Nonesuch/Warner Records. The excitement surrounds the simultaneous release of the project’s first single, “Beautiful People (Stay High),” accompanied by a lyric video.

The album’s title was inspired by the legendary Dayton, Ohio, funk band of the same name. During its creation, The Black Keys hosted dance parties called “record hangs” in cities worldwide, infusing the album with the living spirit of those energetic gatherings.

“Beautiful People (Stay High)” was a collaborative effort between The Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney, along with longtime friends Dan “The Automator” Nakamura and Beck. The album has future collaborations with Noel Gallagher, Greg Kurstin, and more, showcasing the band’s fascination in expanding their musical palette.

Reflecting on the collaborative nature of the album, Carney expressed, “We had this epiphany: ‘We can call our friends to help us make music.’ It’s funny because we both write songs with other people… That’s what we do.” Auerbach added, “No matter who we work with, it never feels like we’re sacrificing who we are. It only feels like it adds some special flavor. We just expanded that palette with people we wanted to work with.”

The journey to create Ohio Players was marked by dedication and hard work, with Carney noting, “We’d never worked harder to make a record.” Auerbach emphasized the intention behind the album, stating, “What we wanted to accomplish with this record was make something that was fun… an approachable, fun record that is also cool.”

Additionally, the upcoming SXSW festival will feature the world premiere of the documentary This is a Film About The Black Keys. The documentary chronicles Auerbach and Carney’s extraordinary journey from neighborhood kids jamming in an Ohio basement to rock ‘n roll superstardom.

Listen to “Beautiful People (Stay High)” below.