Album Review: Keo Hit The Ground Running With Debut Album Put A Smile On For Me
A confident first record that mixes grunge-tinged vocals, heavy guitars and dreamy moments without sitting still for long.
“For a debut album, Keo have not held anything back.”
Photo of Keo by Milly Cope
Words: David Weddle
Keo have hit the ground running with their brand-new album 'Put A Smile On For Me', a debut record that, despite its freshness, sounds like it was recorded by a band that has been doing this for decades. The rich vocals courtesy of 22-year-old Finn Keogh have gravitas and give the record a distinctive sound that puts this young band head and shoulders above the pack.
From the opener 'Be Happy' which has notes of Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder at times, to the explosive single 'That's Me', the album keeps the ear engaged and the feet moving. There is plenty of light and shade in tracks like 'Best I Can Do', with heavy guitars and a great bass line sitting right behind a vocal that has a 90s grunge tinge that really gives the track an edginess that keeps things interesting.
From the opener 'Be Happy' which has notes of Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder at times, to the explosive single 'That's Me', the album keeps the ear engaged and the feet moving. There is plenty of light and shade in tracks like 'Best I Can Do', with heavy guitars and a great bass line sitting right behind a vocal that has a 90s grunge tinge that really gives the track an edginess that keeps things interesting.
Artwork by @harry_morse_art
The band is incredibly versatile, showcasing a range of sounds beyond just heavy guitar and drums. Take 'Bird On The Wire' with its dreamy soundscape, which offers a moment of calm amongst the organized chaos before making way for 'Pistol' that lifts the energy again.
There is a lot to unpack with 'Put A Smile On For Me' and for a debut album, Keo has not held anything back. They have crammed as much variety and high-octane, guitar-infused goodness into this record as they possibly could. A few highlights for me were the atmospheric intro to 'Blue Song', the vocals in 'Be Happy' and the closing track 'Spent On You' with dreamy vocals and a very relaxed vibe. It is a track that feels comfortingly familiar and the perfect end to an album that, I for one, will be looking forward to hearing again.
There is a lot to unpack with 'Put A Smile On For Me' and for a debut album, Keo has not held anything back. They have crammed as much variety and high-octane, guitar-infused goodness into this record as they possibly could. A few highlights for me were the atmospheric intro to 'Blue Song', the vocals in 'Be Happy' and the closing track 'Spent On You' with dreamy vocals and a very relaxed vibe. It is a track that feels comfortingly familiar and the perfect end to an album that, I for one, will be looking forward to hearing again.
More information at keoband.co.uk/#music