ELECTRICALLY CHARGED AND LYRICALLY RAW: KEO FINALLY UNLEASH STRONG DEBUT ‘PUT A SMILE ON FOR ME’

ALBUM REVIEW | KEO – PUT A SMILE ON FOR ME by Isobel O’Mahony

Rising guitar band Keo have released their debut album Put A Smile On For Me, a darker, feedback-heavy compilation of vulnerable lyrics and a 2000s rock-inspired tone. It’s a really strong debut, and it sounds like a release from a band a few years into the scene. Keo have built themselves a rather stellar reputation this summer across the festival scene, but the album seems to be sure fire to continue this celebration into their autumn headline tour.

Guitar music has emerged from the rubble of indie rock recently, with bands like Keo reigniting the flame. Tracks like opener ‘Be Happy’, ‘That’s Me’ and ‘Best I Can Do’ present an impactful amped up take on grunge, and feature standout riffs to ground the sometimes overpowering feedback and static. The lyrics are clearly from the soul, but the guitar carries the hurt, the feel, in the way that true guitar music should do.

There are modern reflections in bands like Wunderhorse, particularly with frontman Finn Keogh’s raspy vocals mirroring Jacob Slater‘s, but a strong reminiscence of 90s/2000s sounds. Nirvana, Foo Fighters (quite Grohl-y, if you will), but the emotional weight of older Radiohead tracks carrying through. ‘Loser’ is dark, self-sabotaging, melancholic, and droney – it’s brilliant. ‘Pistol’ subverts this as a sweeter, acoustically broken, coming-of-age sounding tune. The tone and nods to past sounds like these keep the record down to earth and far from any suggestions of indie pretentiousness.

It’s a lyrically solid record, with songs like ‘Thorn’ and ‘Fly’ with a true storytelling focus. The band has the talent of a singer-songwriter and the clear vision of a guitar band, which puts together listens like an effortless task. The more solemn tracks on the album often use the acoustic studio recordings as well as the mixed versions to ground the music and spotlight the impressive vocals. 

Although a few tunes do sound repetitive at times, I was really happy with the length of the tracks. These songs were made for the album, not just for single release, and have been explored to their full potential. The haunting tune ‘Blue Song’ is a standout on Put A Smile On For Me, as it splits almost in two. Its melancholic, bittersweet start jumps to a tinny guitar tone and broken down vocal halfway through and feels like a true journey. The final track, ‘Spent On You,’ is another sad one, but stands apart from the rest due to its romantic nature; it’s chest crushing, and truly impressive for a debut. 

Put A Smile On For Me doesn’t tell a grand story or sweep you into a huge tale; it lets you in quietly to hidden notions. Lyrics so vulnerable for a band so young feel precious yet gripping, and the true homage and honour to guitar music is promising. Keo are favourites for live audiences despite the intimacy of their tracks, and as a debut, this record puts them on the right track for longevity and prosperity in the modern scene. 

The debut album from Keo Put A Smile On For Me is out now via Island Records. Buy or listen to the album here.

You can read what Finn Keogh had to tell Northern Exposure about the album, career highlights so far, and what brings their impressive audiences together by clicking here.

Next month, the band will embark on a sold-out UK tour run; however, you can still nab the final tickets for Manchester’s Neighbourhood Festival, where Keo take on the iconic afternoon headline slot. Tickets available here.