{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2021}} {{Use American English|date=April 2021}} {{Infobox album | name = Delta Kream | type = studio | cover = The Black Keys - Delta Kream.png | alt = | artist = the Black Keys | released = {{start date|2021|05|14}} | recorded = December 2019 | studio = Easy Eye (Nashville, Tennessee) | genre = Hill country blues | length = 54:15 | label = * Easy Eye Sound * Nonesuch | producer = * Dan Auerbach * Patrick Carney | prev_title = Let's Rock | prev_year = 2019 | next_title = Dropout Boogie | next_year = 2022 | misc = {{Singles | type = studio | single1 = Crawling Kingsnake | single1date = April 20, 2021 }} }} {{Music ratings | MC = 75/100<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/delta-kream/the-black-keys/critic-reviews|title=Critic Reviews for Delta Kream|publisher=Metacritic|access-date=May 15, 2021}}</ref> | rev1 = AllMusic | rev1score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/delta-kream-mw0003509618|title=Delta Kream – The Black Keys {{!}} Songs, Reviews, Credits|publisher=AllMusic|last=Collar|first=Matt|access-date=May 15, 2021}}</ref> | rev2 = ''DIY'' | rev2score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://diymag.com/2021/05/13/the-black-keys-delta-kream-album-review|title=Album Review: The Black Keys – Delta Kream|website=DIY|last=Lawson|first=Ed|date=May 14, 2021|access-date=May 15, 2021}}</ref> | rev3 = ''Entertainment Weekly'' | rev3score = B<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/music/black-keys-delta-kream-review/|title=Delta Kream review: The Black Keys get rooted in new blues throwback album|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|last=Greenblatt|first=Leah|date=May 14, 2021|access-date=May 15, 2021}}</ref> | rev4 = ''NME'' | rev4score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/the-black-keys-delta-kream-review-2939864|title=The Black Keys – 'Delta Kream' review: blues rockers honour their heroes with a rugged homage|work=NME|last=Buchanan|first=Rhys|date=May 13, 2021|access-date=May 15, 2021}}</ref> | rev5 = ''Pitchfork'' | rev5score = 6.8/10<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/the-black-keys-delta-kream/|title=The Black Keys: Delta Kream Album Review|website=Pitchfork|last=Erlewine|first=Stephen Thomas|author-link=Stephen Thomas Erlewine|date=May 14, 2021|access-date=May 14, 2021}}</ref> | noprose = yes }} '''''Delta Kream''''' is the tenth studio album by American rock duo the Black Keys, released through Easy Eye Sound and Nonesuch Records on May 14, 2021. It is a cover album of hill country blues songs.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/en_au/news/music/the-black-keys-share-crawling-kingsnake-from-new-blues-covers-album-delta-kream-2921632|title=The Black Keys share 'Crawling Kingsnake' from new blues covers album 'Delta Kream'|work=NME|last=Reilly|first=Nick|date=April 15, 2021|access-date=April 16, 2021}}</ref> It was preceded by the April 15 release of a cover of "Crawling Kingsnake", based on Junior Kimbrough's rendition.<ref name="RS">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/black-keys-new-album-delta-kream-1155259/|title=The Black Keys Preview New Album 'Delta Kream' With Ominous 'Crawling Kingsnake'|magazine=Rolling Stone|last=Hudak|first=Joseph|date=April 15, 2021|access-date=May 14, 2021}}</ref>
==Background, recording and packaging== The album was recorded "in about 10 hours" over two afternoons at Dan Auerbach's Easy Eye Sound studio in Nashville at the end of the ''Let's Rock'' tour, with little planning and no advance rehearsals.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/black-keys-delta-kreme-album/|title=Black Keys Recorded New 'Delta Kream' LP in 'About 10 Hours'|website=Ultimate Classic Rock|last=Rapp|first=Allison|date=April 15, 2021|access-date=April 16, 2021}}</ref> It includes contributions from R. L. Burnside's guitarist Kenny Brown as well as Junior Kimbrough's bassist Eric Deaton; the Black Keys had previously covered Burnside's "Skinny Woman" (titled "Busted") and Kimbrough's "Do the Romp" (titled "Do the Rump") on their 2002 debut album ''The Big Come Up'', and released the Kimbrough tribute album ''Chulahoma: The Songs of Junior Kimbrough'' in 2006.<ref name="RS"/> Brown and Deaton had been recording at Easy Eye Sound studio concurrently along with Auerbach for the album ''Sharecropper's Son'' by Robert Finley, which lead to their availability for the ''Delta Kream'' sessions.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Black Keys Dive Deep Into Delta Blues For New Album 'Delta Kream'|url=https://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2021/05/18/the-black-keys-delta-kream|author=O'Dowd, Peter|date=May 18, 2021 |access-date=August 22, 2021}}</ref>
In a statement, Auerbach said: "We made this record to honor the Mississippi hill country blues tradition that influenced us starting out. These songs are still as important to us today as they were the first day Pat and I started playing together and picked up our instruments."<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/the-black-keys-announce-delta-kream-album-crawling-kingsnake-9556707/|title=The Black Keys Announce 10th Album 'Delta Kream,' Drop 'Crawling Kingsnake' Single: Listen|magazine=Billboard|last=Mamo|first=Heran|date=April 15, 2021|access-date=April 16, 2021}}</ref>
The album cover features a 1970s photograph by William Eggleston of the Delta Kream shop in Tunica, Mississippi, with an Oldsmobile Cutlass parked outside – the shop no longer exists.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/news/2021/04/15/black-keys-release-first-single-new-album-delta-kream/7233773002/|title=See it now: The Black Keys release video for 'Crawling Kingsnake' from new album 'Delta Kream'|newspaper=Akron Beacon Journal|last=Price|first=Mark J.|date=April 16, 2021|access-date=May 14, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/news/2021/05/13/black-keys-patrick-carney-offers-scoop-delta-kream-life-during-pandemic-and-things-he-misses-akron/5028753001/|title=Black Keys' Patrick Carney offers scoop on 'Delta Kream,' life during pandemic and things he misses about Akron|newspaper=Akron Beacon Journal|last=Price|first=Mark J.|date=May 14, 2021|access-date=May 14, 2021}}</ref>
==Promotion and release== The Black Keys announced ''Delta Kream'' on April 13, 2021, exclusively through their Lonely Boys and Girls fan club. Through the fan club, on the same day, they also released the album's lead single, a cover of Junior Kimbrough's version<ref name="RS"/> of "Crawling Kingsnake".<ref name="Stereogum">{{cite web|url=https://www.stereogum.com/2143977/the-black-keys-announce-blues-covers-album-delta-kream/news/|title=The Black Keys Announce Blues Covers Album Delta Kream|website=Stereogum|last=Helman|first=Peter|date=April 13, 2021|access-date=April 13, 2021}}</ref> It was released to digital music platforms two days later. Additionally, a music video for the song was released. Directed by Tim Hardiman, it features a performance of the song by the band at the Blue Front Cafe, owned by blues musician Jimmy "Duck" Holmes.<ref name="Spin">{{cite web|url=https://www.spin.com/2021/04/black-keys-delta-kream-crawling-kingsnake/|title=Watch The Black Keys Perform 'Crawling Kingsnake' at Blue Front Cafe|work=Spin|last=Grant|first=Sarah|date=April 15, 2021|access-date=April 21, 2021}}</ref>
''Delta Kream'' was released on May 14, 2021, through Easy Eye Sound and Nonesuch Records on digital music platforms and physical media. The album's digital release includes a shortened edit of "Crawling Kingsnake" as a bonus track.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.qobuz.com/us-en/album/delta-kream-the-black-keys/jmbk1mj33vf2a|title=Delta Kream, The Black Keys|website=Qobuz|access-date=April 21, 2021}}</ref> Physically, the album was made available to purchase as both a CD and double 12-inch vinyl record,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://theblackkeys.com/collections/music/products/delta-kream-cd-lp|title=Delta Kream CD/LP|website=The Black Keys|access-date=April 21, 2021}}</ref> with standard black, limited edition "purple haze",<ref>{{cite web|url=https://theblackkeys.com/collections/music/products/delta-kream-exclusive-purple-haze-vinyl-pre-sale|title=Delta Kream Exclusive Limited Edition Purple Haze Vinyl|website=The Black Keys|access-date=April 21, 2021|archive-date=April 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421050719/https://theblackkeys.com/collections/music/products/delta-kream-exclusive-purple-haze-vinyl-pre-sale|url-status=dead}}</ref> and Spotify user-exclusive pink<ref>{{cite web|url=https://theblackkeys.com/products/delta-kream-spotify-exclusive-pink-vinyl-pre-sale-1|title=Delta Kream Spotify Exclusive Pink Vinyl|website=The Black Keys|access-date=April 21, 2021|archive-date=April 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421050719/https://theblackkeys.com/products/delta-kream-spotify-exclusive-pink-vinyl-pre-sale-1|url-status=dead}}</ref> options available for the vinyl release.
==Track listing== {{Track listing | headline = ''Delta Kream'' track listing | extra_column = Credited songwriters | total_length = 54:15
| title1 = Crawling Kingsnake | extra1 = John Lee Hooker, Bernard Besman | length1 = 6:08
| title2 = Louise | extra2 = Johnnie Temple | length2 = 4:23
| title3 = Poor Boy a Long Way from Home | extra3 = R. L. Burnside | length3 = 4:08
| title4 = Stay All Night | extra4 = Junior Kimbrough | length4 = 5:44
| title5 = Going Down South | extra5 = R. L. Burnside | length5 = 3:48
| title6 = Coal Black Mattie | extra6 = Ranie Burnette | length6 = 3:48
| title7 = Do the Romp | extra7 = Junior Kimbrough | length7 = 5:01
| title8 = Sad Days, Lonely Nights | extra8 = Junior Kimbrough | length8 = 5:57
| title9 = Walk with Me | extra9 = Junior Kimbrough | length9 = 5:36
| title10 = Mellow Peaches | extra10 = Big Joe Williams | length10 = 3:47
| title11 = Come On and Go with Me | extra11 = Junior Kimbrough | length11 = 5:55 }} {{Track listing | headline = Digital bonus track | extra_column = Credited songwriters | total_length = 58:07
| title12 = Crawling Kingsnake | note12 = edit | extra12 = John Lee Hooker, Bernard Besman | length12 = 3:52 }}
==Personnel== '''The Black Keys''' * Dan Auerbach – lead vocals, electric guitar, production * Patrick Carney – drums, percussion, production
'''Additional personnel''' * Eric Deaton – bass * Kenny Brown – electric guitar * Sam Bacco – additional percussion * Ryan Smith – mastering * Tchad Blake – mixing * M. Allen Parker – engineering * Caleb VanBuskirk – additional engineering * Michael Deano – engineering assistance * Mickey Smay – engineering assistance
==Charts== {{col-begin}} {{col-2}}
===Weekly charts=== {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |+ Chart performance for ''Delta Kream'' ! scope="col"| Chart (2021) ! scope="col"| Peak<br />position |- {{album chart|Australia|8|artist=The Black Keys|album=Delta Kream|rowheader=true|access-date=May 21, 2021}} |- {{album chart|Austria|3|artist=The Black Keys|album=Delta Kream|rowheader=true|access-date=May 27, 2021}} |- {{album chart|Flanders|2|artist=The Black Keys|album=Delta Kream|rowheader=true|access-date=May 22, 2021}} |- {{album chart|Wallonia|2|artist=The Black Keys|album=Delta Kream|rowheader=true|access-date=May 22, 2021}} |- {{album chart|BillboardCanada|12|artist=The Black Keys|rowheader=true|access-date=May 25, 2021}} |- ! scope="row" | Croatian International Albums (HDU)<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-05-24 |title=Lista prodaje (strano) 20. tjedan 2021. (10.05.2021. – 16.05.2021.) |url=https://www.top-lista.hr/www/lista-prodaje-strano-20-tjedan-2021/ |access-date=2025-06-30 |website=Top lista |language=hr}}</ref> | 1 |- {{album chart|Denmark|22|M|url=http://hitlisten.nu/default.asp?w=20&y=2021&list=a40|title=Hitlisten.NU – Album Top-40 Uge 20, 2021|publisher=Hitlisten|artist=The Black Keys|album=Delta Kream|rowheader=true|access-date=May 26, 2021}} |- {{album chart|Netherlands|2|artist=The Black Keys|album=Delta Kream|rowheader=true|access-date=May 21, 2021}} |- ! scope="row"| Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ifpi.fi/lista/albumit/2021/20/|title=Albumit 20/2021|publisher=Musiikkituottajat|language=fi|access-date=May 23, 2021}}</ref> | 6 |- ! scope="row"| French Albums (SNEP)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://snepmusique.com/les-tops/le-top-de-la-semaine/top-albums/?annee=2021&semaine=20 | title=Top Albums }}</ref> | 6 |- {{album chart|Germany|3|id=477613|artist=The Black Keys|album=Delta Kream|rowheader=true|access-date=May 21, 2021}} |- {{album chart|Hungary|3|year=2021|week=20|rowheader=true|access-date=May 27, 2021}} |- {{album chart|Ireland3|23|date=20210521|rowheader=true|access-date=May 21, 2021}} |- ! scope="row"| Italian Albums (FIMI)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fimi.it/top-of-the-music/archivio-classifiche-settimanali/archivio-classifiche-per-settimana/?tipo=2&anno=2021&settimana=20|title=Album – Classifica settimanale WK 20 (dal 14.5.2021 al 20.5.2021)|publisher=Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana|language=it|access-date=May 21, 2021}}</ref> | 20 |- ! scope="row"| New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/albums/2021-05-21|title=NZ Top 40 Albums Chart|publisher=Recorded Music NZ|date=May 24, 2021|access-date=May 22, 2021}}</ref> | 5 |- {{album chart|Norway|34|M|url=http://www.vglista.no/topplister/topp-40-album-2021-20/|title=VG-lista – Topp 40 Album uke 20, 2021|publisher=VG-lista|artist=The Black Keys|album=Delta Kream|rowheader=true|access-date=May 21, 2021}} |- {{album chart|Poland|25|id=1363|rowheader=true|accessdate=May 27, 2021}} |- {{album chart|Portugal|4|artist=The Black Keys|album=Delta Kream|rowheader=true|access-date=May 28, 2021}} |- {{album chart|Scotland|4|date=20210521|rowheader=true|access-date=May 22, 2021}} |- ! scope="row"| Swedish Physical Albums (Sverigetopplistan)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sverigetopplistan.se/chart/234?dspy=2021&dspp=20|title=Veckolista Album Fysiskt, vecka 20|publisher=Sverigetopplistan|language=sv|access-date=May 21, 2021}}</ref> | 4 |- {{album chart|Switzerland|3|artist=The Black Keys|album=Delta Kream|rowheader=true|access-date=May 23, 2021}} |- {{album chart|UK2|5|date=20210521|rowheader=true|access-date=May 21, 2021}} |- {{album chart|Billboard200|6|artist=The Black Keys|rowheader=true|access-date=May 23, 2021}} |- {{album chart|BillboardAlternative|1|artist=The Black Keys|rowheader=true|access-date=May 25, 2021}} |- {{album chart|BillboardRock|1|artist=The Black Keys|rowheader=true|access-date=May 25, 2021}} |} {{col-2}}
===Year-end charts=== {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |+ Year-end chart performance for ''Delta Kream'' ! scope="col"| Chart (2021) ! scope="col"| Position |- ! scope="row"| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=2021&cat=a|title=Jaaroverzichten 2021|publisher=Ultratop|access-date=January 5, 2022}}</ref> | 174 |- ! scope="row"| Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://hitparade.ch/charts/jahreshitparade/2021/alben|title=Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2021|website=hitparade.ch|access-date=December 26, 2021|language=de}}</ref> | 97 |- ! scope="row"| US Top Rock Albums (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2021/top-rock-albums|title=Top Rock Albums – Year-End 2021|magazine=Billboard|access-date=January 16, 2022}}</ref> | 76 |} {{col-end}}
==References== {{reflist}}
{{The Black Keys}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:2021 albums Category:Albums produced by Dan Auerbach Category:Albums produced by Patrick Carney Category:2020s covers albums Category:The Black Keys albums Category:Nonesuch Records albums Category:Easy Eye Sound (record label) albums Category:Albums recorded at Easy Eye Sound (studio)