Released: 20th September 2019
Published by: Island Records
After a nearly five-year hiatus, one of the UK’s more underrated bands has returned to the music scene. Since the early 2000s, Keane has occupied a comfortable alternative rock niche, their most memorable track “Somewhere Only We Know” shooting them to stardom back in 2004. Through their blending of synths and piano, the band maintains a strong popularity to this day.
While the piano continues to play a heavy role like it did in Keane’s last original release Strangeland, “Cause and Effect” (produced alongside David Kosten) marks a return to the more synth-driven tracks, having a fair bit in common with 2006’s Under the Iron Sea. On another level, you can argue it shares some thematic similarities to Tom Chaplin’s The Wave. The band’s lead singer embarked on an emotionally resonant solo venture back in 2016 and C&E is also very much about living; whether it’s the challenges we face personified by “Love too Much” or the solemn reflections on relationships with “Thread”, there’s a consistent hook throughout. Chaplin’s leading voice continues to provide lyrics that are both tender and energetic throughout the album but the band’s identity in the genre remains firmly committed; there are still few that can imitate their style and tone.
In addition to boasting solid value with its sixteen brand new tracks, the album is also very well-structured; “You’re Not Home” begins tentatively, slowly building into the faster pacing of “The Way I Feel”. The latter portion of the album is dedicated to more resonant songs that bring the track list to a humble, atmospheric close. The issues I had were small ones; there’s a slight imbalance between the more thoughtful, slower songs and those that are more fast-moving. Keane could have gone all in with the synths to create some more pulse-pounding entries to balance things out. With that said, when the beats do hit, it easily matches the band’s best creations; “Phases” and “Chase the Night Away” were the strongest for me. Both are reflective pieces that emphasise a desire to press on with things. With the group having been in the business for over fifteen years, these feel especially poignant.
After such a long wait, Keane’s fifth album is a personable effort that brings them back to prominence; it doesn’t do anything radically different but plays to their strengths. A solid return that will satisfy fans old and new.
Rating: B