KEEF – Chemical Skies (2025)
Raised in a small industrial town in the North-West of England, KEEF brings the heart of working-class society to our ears with their powerful music. Unafraid to delve into the gritty side of life, the band tackle issues of isolation, discontent and alienation. Yet, it’s not all doom and gloom. As much as there is raw grit, Mike Paul Davies (vocals, guitar and keys), Manuel Pizani (lead guitar) and Andy Murphy (bass) celebrate life in its tragedy and triumph. The latest addition to their discography is the single ‘Chemical Skies’.
Following their well-received singles ‘I Can See A Future’ and ‘You And Me Against The World’, ‘Chemical Skies’ is a drag back to the 1980s with a twinkling twirl of post-punk and indie-rock held in a psychedelic sonic wrapper. Soft and soothing, the track has languid sincerity in the bold bass and soaring guitars, tossing you into a rhythmic kaleidoscopic whirlpool. Chilled out and tranquil, the gentle nature of ‘Chemical Skies’ is heart-warming and a refreshing breath of air.
I wouldn’t say sophisticated or polished, ‘Chemical Skies’ has an enigmatic binding of honed instruments entwined with harmonic rhythm and the grittiness of underlying reflection. A sense of yearning lost in the beautiful breath of nostalgia. Melodically, KEEF hit the nail with ‘Chemical Skies’; it’s the lyricism so elegantly executed that gives the track an extra oomph. KEEF explains:
“We wanted to write something that felt like looking back at your childhood through a slightly hazy lens – those weirdly beautiful skies above the factories, the freedom of playing out with your mates all day, the smell of the river and the hum of the plants. It might not sound idyllic to everyone, but to us, it was magic.”
Capturing the heart of a working-class society in a psychedelic haze with the essence of those magical moments oozing from each note, KEEF brings magic with the reds, greens and yellows of chemical skies.
Find out more about KEEF on their official website, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
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