Dan Auerbach's recently released solo debut, Keep It Hid, earns an 85 from Paste magazine. Reviewer Andrew Leahey writes that on the new album, The Black Keys' singer/guitarist "explores the crossroads of early-‘70s rock and swampy ballads." While Dan uses elements Black Keys fans have come to know, he places "more emphasis on melody and spacious production, bolstering his familiar barn-burning blues with a sense of exploration and comfort."

That exploration takes Dan down different paths on various album tracks, from "lullabying crooner" on one to "weary, Depression-era troubadour" on another, says Leahey.

"He’s a gifted songwriter," the review continues, "and his experience behind the microphone lends a melodic anchor to his guitar riffs, which blister and burn but rarely muddle their hooks in waves of amplified skuzz."

Read the full review at pastemagazine.com.

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The Times Herald-Record, based in upstate New York, gives Keep It Hid a straight A grade, with the paper's Tim Malcolm exclaiming that Dan "has crafted something ethereal, raw, visceral and wondrous" on the new record. He concludes:

Auerbach has created one of the great hidden emotion albums. It's in the vein of Plastic Ono Band, but without all the baggage. Instead, it's a tumbling album from a man we still don't quite know. But when you hear his music (especially the sweetly revealing "Goin' Home"), you'll want to know so much more about Mr. Auerbach.

Read more at recordonline.com.