Gritty, bold and not really giving a damn, The Black Keys continue their stripped-down rock-funk version of the blues with their latest album Brothers. There’s a lot of raw energy and neck-bobbing hooks for an album with just two musicians. White Stripes comparisons are the norm for any Black Keys review but drummer Patrick Carney brings a lot more groove and jive to the room than Jack Whites’ sister/ex-wife Meg. And guitarist/singer Dan Auerbach’s stark vocals could be found on almost any vintage blues album from the 50′s. Quite the opposite for his fuzzy-guitar riffs, bouncing all over the place on such instant hits like “Next Girl” and “Unknown Brother”. His heavily distorted chords fall somewhere between Jimi Hendrix throw-aways and the engine garble of a Star Wars pod-racer. But that’s a good thing. The album is an addicting, robust collection of old-timey blues meets 21st century R&B. It’s a romping good time which might bring you a little street cred too.

NPR is streaming Brothers in its entirety up until its release on May 18.