The progression from 2019's humble “Let's Rock” to 2022's The Black Keys' last full-length, “Dropout Boogie” was a welcome departure from what had become a stale, numbers-heavy formula for the duo. It brought more variety to things. Throughout “Ohio Players,” in an almost contradictory move, they find a pitch-perfect sound — pure '60s guitar pop with a touch of soul here, a dash of surf there. – Locke–Even so, he seems to be determined to move away from there. Different results. There's a thread that runs from the Dust Brothers-like shuffle that underpins opener “This Is Nowhere” to “Paper Crown,” which features the actual Beck. Not only is this track a lot of fun, it's steeped in Starr's own style, and it's all the same. If Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney are guests alongside Juicy J. Conversely, if they chose their signature sound – “Please Me (Till I'm Satisfied),” “Live Till I Die,” and especially the close “Everytime You Leave.” ” (its production sounds completely digital and cold compared to its predecessors) – as if they were playing it too safe. Because “You'll Pay,” “Read Em And Weep,” “Only Love,” “Fever Tree” (a charming cover of William Bell's “I Forgot To Be Your Lover”), and “Don't Let Me Go.” They're all studded with shimmering props, and have a kind of euphoria that's certainly no more than a well-shot choreo sequence, unlike the kind of virality that Jungle enjoys these days. And this is a lane that fits The Black Keys perfectly.