The Arcs 'Yours, Dreamily,' album review

Image: The Arcs 

Not content with being half of one of the most successful bands in the world right now, The Black Keys, Dan Auerbach delves into a new realm of psychedelia, funk and synthesisers on new album Yours, Dreamily,.

We’re quite used to seeing bands take a sabbatical in order to scratch their creative itches, and Auerbach himself is no stranger to a little side-project indulgence.

The 36 year old has produced records for the likes of Lana Del Rey, released a solo effort, and still managed to put out seven The Black Keys albums along the way. Quite impressive, ey?

The first single off the album, ‘Outta My Mind‘, is seemingly a cathartic journey explaining why now is the time to for The Arcs to release a record.

Auerbach’s distinctive voice bellows out the lyrics "Outta my mind, but I made it/Outta my mind, I’m faded", almost documenting his rise to success and thirst for a new challenge. 

The guitar parts are similar to avenues he’s ventured into before on the Black Keys album Turn Blue - blues-esque chords swept with a wash of heavy reverb. ‘The Arc’  follows suit, while ‘Velvet Ditch’ and ‘Come & Go’ sound like they have been lifted from a New York jazz bar.

The Black Keys frontman has gone to great lengths to state this isn’t another solo album. He’s drafted in many of his 'oldest musical compadres’ to help take the album in a new direction.

Recruits ranging from The Shins' drummer Richard Swift, New York soul extraordinaire Leon Michels and Mariachi Flor de Toloache - an all female mariachi band. 

‘Put a Flower in Your Pocket’ sounds exactly like what you’d imagine an acid trip would feel like. Soft vocals layered on a bed of fuzzy, slow paced guitars and brass section set to leave you in a trance.

Evidence of the mariachi band is also prominent on the meandering ‘Everything You Do (You Do For You)’ and ‘Nature’s Child’. The former not to be confused with a certain 1991 number one hit from Canadian pop sensation Bryan Adams.  

We see the bands more soulful efforts on ‘Chains of Love’ and ‘Stay in Your Corner’. Lazy guitar riffs, slow drum beats and Auerbach’s vocals (mainly on ‘Stay in Your Corner’) are probably better than you’ve ever heard them before.

The funky bass riff in ‘Cold Companion’ coupled with a guitar solo so good you’re almost compelled to get your air guitar out to gives us arguably the best song of the album. 

Dan Auerbach’s musical talents were never in question, however after The Arcs first studio effort neither can his desire or ambition. Unlike many side projects, this album lives up to the billing and hopefully we’ll see more from The Arcs in the future. 

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