Cardiff's KEYS have presented a fine Pop Rock album. The reaction to lockdown was to record a Bedroom album on 4 Track and it works beautifully. There's a lot of snobbery about lo-fi and 4 Track recording from the Garage Band devotees who strive for a higher technical sound on their dull outpourings.
How many tracks do you need to write great Pop and my experience is that having all the audio tools just makes you mess about with songs more. When you can write songs as good as this it doesn't matter if they are recorded on Cassette or your new Mac.
Matthew Evans is not only a songwriter to be admired, but he also has a wonderful gentle lazy vocal style that works beautifully. Home Schooling is reminiscent of 70's Pop Rock albums in the Badfinger and Jigsaw mould.
However, KEYS aren't afraid to branch out in other directions. Songs Cold Hands and Trick Of The Light have a Psych Pop vibe and This Side Of Luv nails the Glam Pop of Bay City Rollers perfectly, including the false ending. Your Name Across My Heart sounds distinctly Lennon-ish and Pressure Cooker is a wonderful Electronic Psych Instrumental.
The band are best at that aforementioned 70's Pop Rock though. The Strain is the best example of this, but Phases comes close, it really does sound 1975. I'd heard trailers of the album and thought they were really promising, but wondered if the band could hold a full album together without it seeming samey. Well they have, superbly so.
You can listen to the album here or more importantly, buy it here.
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