Listen: The Black Keys Drop “I Forgot To Be Your Lover” from Upcoming Album ‘Ohio Players’

Photo credit: Jim Herrington

The Black Keys are back with “I Forgot To Be Your Lover,” the latest single from the forthcoming album Ohio Players. In this second preview, the beloved 1968 cut from Stax Records royalty William Bell and Booker T. Jones proves the perfect vessel to draw out the soulful side of Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney’s hot and heavy blues-rock style. After the acerbically upbeat intro “Beautiful People (Stay High),” this track drives home the duo’s determination to continue expanding their sonic arsenal on their 12th studio album, set to release on April 5 via Nonesuch.

The Black Keys’ fresh treatment of “I Forgot To Be Your Lover” breathes new life into the iconic torch song, fitting it to a stomping backbeat and weeping organ. Against twinkling chimes and a rare, rousing string arrangement, this is The Black Keys at their most tender, allowing the band to put their power behind the emotional force of the ballad. This stirring rendition is well-complemented by its official music video, which suits the song with a fading memory of slow-dancing sock-hoppers, evoking the nostalgic yearning at the standard’s core.

With Ohio Players, the alternative innovators welcome a host of contributions from high-profile friends, including Dan the Automator and Beck, who respectively co-produced and added keys and vocals to “Beautiful People (Stay High).” The band will make its next live appearance on March 7, with a performance at the star-studded Love Rocks NYC benefit concert; for tickets and more information, visit glwd.org.

Ohio Players is available to pre-order now at theblackkeys.com.