“Put A Smile On For Me”, a flawlessly flawed debut album by Keo, arriving on September 25th.
There’s a certain kind of band that you know you’re going to have to see live – and Keo are one of them. From seeing the band upgrade to the main room of Glasgow’s SWG3, only hours prior to their show in March, to hearing they’re rapidly selling out the O2 Academy only months later, Keo are ones to watch out for.
The London four-piece have spent the past few years carving out a raw and restless, yet melodic sound that they’re ready for everyone to hear. Despite having their debut EP, “Siren,” released only back in July, they have become one of the UK’s most talked-about young guitar bands, and now they’re ready to step into a bigger chapter with their debut album, “Put A Smile On For Me.”
Their debut album, arriving on the 25th of September via Island Records, was self-produced by frontman Finn Keogh, alongside guitarist Jimmy Lanwern, with the main goal of the album aiming to “be real,” in all senses; lyrically, sonically and performance wise.
And it isn’t a debut album that’s been polished to perfection – it’s real, raw and aims to challenge the listener through a “slightly sarcastic and toxic theme,” making people address the perfect mask they wear, and recognise that we “are all full of flaws,” said frontman Finn Keogh.
The album opens with “Be Happy,” before erupting into the albums electrifying first single: “That’s Me,” showcasing the bands trademark, explosive guitar work, as well as Finn’s raw vocals as he explores those toxic themes through guilt and brutal honesty.
Following into the uncomfortable self-recognition theme, the album turns sincere with “Best I Can Do,” highlighting the toxicity with lyrics such as “You’re the best I can do,” recognises Finn Keogh, as he says,
“It’s a horrible lyric, but it’s all a bit tongue and cheek. It’s kind of saying you know that we’re all full of flaws, and that no one’s perfect.”
Which also could be considered a lesson throughout recording the album, as Finn stated the biggest hurdle faced during recording the album was his own perfectionism, “I used to think perfectionism was a good thing, but now I’m convinced that it’s a bad thing.” The album, lyrically, and personally, battles the idea of perfectionism, and forces the listener to feel uncomfortably related to the themes throughout it.
The album is a standout, showcasing the bands trademark energetic guitar work, as well as Finn’s explosive, raw vocals mixed with the vulnerability and guilt-ridden honesty throughout the lyrics. But it also stands out as a live performance.
Previously, Keo have shared several songs off the album during live performances, but the album itself was a “live performance.”
“The whole thing was a performance, so everything that happened in the performance stayed, and the vocal itself was a live performance. It’s kind of a live record from a studio.”
Finn Keogh.
The album is flawless, despite lyrically challenging everyone’s flaws. It’s raw and unpolished, facing the side of people that they try to push away, with the lyricism tackling heavy themes of love, guilt and shame. It showcases everything that Keo is capable of, and encapsulates the listener, preparing everyone for what’s next with the band – their live performances.
Artwork: “Put A Smile On For Me” artwork, by Harry Morse.
