Black Love (The Afghan Whigs album)

Black Love is the fourth studio album by American rock band The Afghan Whigs, released in 1996 by Elektra Records. It is considered a concept album, broadly exploring themes of obsession, betrayal, violence, and self-destruction, largely through the lens of relationships.

The album marked a departure from the band's earlier, more guitar-driven sound, incorporating a wider range of influences including soul, funk, and cinematic soundscapes. Lyrically, Black Love is darker and more narrative-focused than previous Afghan Whigs releases, featuring complex characters and morally ambiguous situations.

The album's recording sessions were fraught with tension and creative disagreements within the band, contributing to the overall dark and unsettling tone of the music. While Black Love did not achieve significant commercial success upon its initial release, it has since gained critical acclaim and is now considered by many fans and critics to be one of The Afghan Whigs' finest and most challenging works. Key tracks include "Crime Scene Part One," "Going to Town," and "Faded." The album's artwork, featuring a photograph of actress Maria Schneider from the film Last Tango in Paris, further reinforces the album's themes of transgression and emotional turmoil.