Dan Auerbach

Waiting On A Song

When Dan Auerbach takes time off from making records he, er, makes records. This follow-up to debut solo album Keep It Hid was recorded in his own Easy Eye Sound studios during some rare Black Keys downtime and it’s delivered with as much of a grin as we think Auerbach will ever muster. Described as a love letter to Nashville, the title track Waiting On A Song is an ode to the magic of writing and is delivered with a succinct whimsy that recalls early 70s Brian Wilson. Elsewhere,

Malibu Man, a roast of Auerbach’s pal Rick Rubin, channels West Coast soul and funk, recalling the guitarist’s recent work under his Arcs moniker.

...Song’s packed with talent, too, including a list of Nashville session stalwarts that make The Wrecking Crew look idle, while Mark Knopfler’s crisp, shuffling electric features on the joyously clap-happy Shine On Me – a song that contains probably the most buoyant earworm since Minion-marketeer Pharrell first hummed Happy. Even Duane Eddy pops in for a cuppa, most notably laying down a hair-raising, hip-shaking middle eight on Cherrybomb. It’s something of a romp and may not convert non-acolytes, but its warmth of tone and sentiment is hard to resist. Thank god for workaholics. Matt Parker download ShineOnMe