The Next Big Thing deliver an impressive debut album. Out 25th of September on Island Records.
Phwoar! The first 30 seconds of opener ‘Be Happy’ screams in with all the swaggering confidence of peak Oasis. This is a proper indie-rock album. A proper guitar album. The arrival of new heroes of the scene. Keo have been on a blistering rise. They only released their first single in March 2025, the EP in June and then went from the BBC Introducing Stage at Reading Festival to onto the main stage a year later. Their debut album is out on a major label, and the interest seems very deserved.
This is one of those bands. The type people sell their soul to, go all in on, buy the ticket take the ride. Lead singer and guitarist Finn Keogh is only 22 and they already have the rock world at their feet. Unreleased tracks are getting sung back to them by thousands of people who know them word perfect.
Keo wear their influences lightly. ‘That’s Me’ is another reason why those comparisons to Wunderhorse won’t stop going away. ‘Fly’ has a more fully-Nirvana-esque vibe to it to start off before switching into something more Bends era Radiohead. The alt-rock big beast nods pile up as the album spins through. The finished product is not imitation though; it is a fully realised identity of a band that has rapidly arrived with total confidence. ‘Best I Can Do’ is a highlight.
This is another album to throw at somebody who dares to suggest guitar music is dead. There is a visceral honesty here in the lyrics. ‘Loser’ might be the most self-flagellating track to appear since Radiohead knocked out ‘Creep’ and then forever regretted it. “I’m on my own, I’m all alone. I let the bad voices in my head control. I’m such a loser, I’m best alone. I’ve let all my made up stories take a toll on everyone I know.”
Incredibly, the album was assembled in a 10-day blast, a likely reason for the feeling of immediacy and honesty that permeates it. This is a hugely enjoyable debut full of moments to savour. All we need to do now is actually get to see them live. We have missed a few chances, most recently at this year’s Reading Festival thanks to Royal Blood turning up late to give us a real headache of a choice.
Essential Tracks: ‘Be Happy,’ ‘That’s Me,’ ‘Best I Can Do,’ ‘Black Dress’ and ‘Thorn.’
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