The Black Keys

El Camino

First released2011

El Camino, the seventh studio album by The Black Keys, was recorded in 2011 at Easy Eye Sound studio in Nashville, Tennessee, with the band self-producing the album alongside engineer Mark Neill. The recording process marked a departure from their previous work, incorporating more polished production and a broader range of influences while maintaining their blues-rock foundation. The album featured live instrumentation recorded in analog format, reflecting the band's commitment to organic sound despite the modernized studio environment. Released in December 2011, El Camino achieved significant commercial success and critical acclaim, establishing The Black Keys as mainstream artists and winning the Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album in 2013. The production choices, including layered arrangements and refined mixing, demonstrated the band's evolution as songwriters and their willingness to experiment with studio techniques.