The Black Keys have never really been a band to overcomplicate things, and ‘You Got To Lose’ proves just that. Released as the first single from their upcoming album ‘Peaches!’ - only six months after their previous record ‘No Rain, No Flowers’ - the track feels like a natural continuation of their sound: groovy, confident, and honest. Set to be released on May 1, the fourteenth studio album is described by the band on Instagram as the “most natural record” since their first one.

Originally recorded by Earl Hooker in 1969, and then given a more fiery twist by George Thorogood & The Destroyers in 1977, the song stays true to its bluesy roots, but gains a dusty, gritty rock and roll vibe in The Black Keys’ new version. 

What gives the track and the album their emotional weight is the context in which it was created. Dan Auerbach wrote and recorded much of the new material during a really tough period in his personal life - while caring for his father, who was diagnosed with a stroke and oesophageal cancer. Rather than retreating, Auerbach and Patrick Carney took to the studio, and as said in a press release, they were just jamming and screaming out what they were feeling - with no intention of making a record - it was only supposed to be their way to lift their spirits. 

The official music video for ‘You Got To Lose’ was filmed at a historic Memphis venue, Hernando’s Hide-A-Way, with visuals focusing on the band’s performance, letting the emotion behind the song speak for itself. 

The song and the video are not flashy, but that’s exactly the point - for it to be raw and real, because a lot of the time, the most powerful messages come from just keeping it simple.

Paulina Pasturczak

@kurczvkontour

Image: ‘Peaches!’ Official Album Cover

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