If you catch a new tune on your radio titled “Outta My Mind” and you instantly think, “hey, new Black Keys”. You won’t be correct but neither you will be exactly wrong.
Mentioned single is one of the songs featured on freshly released album “Yours, dreamily” which came out 4.9.2015 and features 15 tracks from new band called “ARCS”. Why this sound so familiar is the fact that one of the band members is no one else but Dan Auerbach whose song writing but also producing style is simply unmissable (do you remember latest album by Dr. John, happened there as well, “Locked Down”).
Be it as it may, The Black Keys have gone somewhere else in blues rock in a way, that given you are paying attention, you will always know what band you are listening to. Unfortunately you won’t be able to tell Arcs apart even though it follows style of Black Keys last album “Turn Blue” which was very slow paced album moving from early blues rock pieces to more gentle tunes, not loosing it’s quality. Perhaps that is a way Auerbach is set to go now and that is way of whole Arcs album, though there are certainly solos you shall enjoy.
“Yours, dreamily” is in overall very enjoyable album in a same way “Turn blue” was but this time perhaps more playful. What can be said for certain is an effect this album and this long time playing musicians and friends can deliver life. I for sure would love to see that.
Although I mentioned similarity with The Black Keys numerous times now you can still very easily fins something little extra that defines The Arcs. Fine example could be track “Pistol Made of Bones”. As album description in the intro “Once We Begin” could work. In it you start with “retro” sound which transforms into amazingly metamorphic 31 seconds of everything you will unveil in upcoming songs more clearly.
Overall I find “Yours, dreamily” very well crafted album where you can hear the freedom musicians had while recording and love for bit of blues, bit of smooth and bit of psychedelic combined in well crafted unison.
“We worked without restraints” . “We weren’t thinking about making songs for radio, obviously. I’ve spent enough time thinking about that with the Black Keys, not that we ever wrote songs just for radio. I just don’t want to ever think about that stuff again. With the Arcs, we were just trying to make music that lives up to the kinds of standards that we love: old soul records, Captain Beefheart, newer hip-hop records. The songs are really experimental, but not over your head. I hate when people try to be so obviously out there.”
– Dan Auerbach for the Rolling Stone
THE ARCS – YOURS, DREAMILY
Released: 4.9.2015
Produced by: Dan Auerbach, Leon Michels
Tracklist:
01. ONCE WE BEGIN (INTRO)
02. OUTTA MY MIND
03. PUT A FLOWER IN YOUR POCKET
04. PISTOL MADE OF BONES
05. EVERYTHING YOU DO (YOU DO FOR YOU)
06. STAY IN MY CORNER
07. COLD COMPARISON
08. THE ARC
09. NATURE’S CHILD
10. VELVET DITCH
11. CHAINS OF LOVE
12. COME & GO
13. ROSIE (OOH LA LA)
14. SEARCHING THE BLUE
RETROVOLD 
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