The Black Keys Find Fresh Roots with 'No Rain, No Flowers'

Black Keys return with soulful grit

After more than two decades of fuzzed-out blues riffs and arena rock swagger, The Black Keys are still evolving. Their upcoming 13th studio album, No Rain, No Flowers, arrives August 8 and signals a more introspective, melody-rich direction for the Ohio duo.

The album builds on the collaborative momentum of 2024’s Ohio Players, which saw Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney working with artists like Beck and Noel Gallagher. But where that record brought the funk and fun, No Rain, No Flowers is quieter and more reflective—emotionally deeper without losing their signature grit.

This time, the Keys tapped a fresh trio of co-writers: Rick Nowels (Lana Del Rey, Stevie Nicks), Daniel Tashian (Kacey Musgraves), and Scott Storch (Dr. Dre, Beyoncé). All three bring a range of musical influences that stretch the band’s sound into shimmering retro-pop and soul territory, while still rooted in bluesy Americana.

Auerbach has said the writing sessions, particularly with Nowels, felt effortless. “We were on the same wavelength,” he explained in a recent press release. “The songs just came naturally.” Carney added that, unlike previous remote collaborations, they made a point to sit down in the studio with their co-writers—something that gave the songs more immediacy and cohesion.

The album’s title track, released alongside the announcement, sets the tone. “No Rain, No Flowers” is a moody, lush ballad about resilience and personal growth, drenched in analog warmth. Other tracks like “The Night Before” and “Babygirl,” both released earlier this year, mix vintage soul grooves with dreamy textures that nod to the likes of Al Green or Curtis Mayfield.

The full 11-song tracklist showcases the band's range, from the stripped-back melancholy of “Neon Moon” to the high-tempo swagger of “Man on a Mission.” There’s a sense of maturity here—not a reinvention, but a refinement.

No Rain, No Flowers will be released via Auerbach’s own Easy Eye Sound label, in partnership with Warner Records. A limited-edition sky-blue vinyl pressing is already available for pre-order, along with exclusive merchandise.

To coincide with the album, The Black Keys will kick off a North American tour on May 23 in Durant, Oklahoma, running through the summer and into September. Known for their raw, high-energy performances, the tour promises a mix of new material and classics from their 20-year catalog.

At a time when many bands settle into formula, The Black Keys are doing the opposite. They’re still searching, still experimenting—and No Rain, No Flowers is proof that the journey is far from over.

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Tracklist – No Rain, No Flowers

• No Rain, No Flowers
• The Night Before
• Babygirl
• Down to Nothing
• On Repeat
• Make You Mine
• Man on a Mission
• Kiss It
• All My Life
• A Little Too High
• Neon Moon

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Sources:

– The Black Keys

– Pitchfork

– Rolling Stone