Album review: KEELEY – Floating Above Everything Else

Bandcamp [Release date 30.06.23]

To some, music is a drug, constantly searching for that new high that will set the pulses racing and synapses firing. In a world of identikit artists all vying for airplay and sales, it’s a thing of joy to discover an artist who brings something fresh that will worm its way into hearts and souls with equal vigour and Keeley have somehow managed to achieve that with this, their full-length debut.

Built around the polymathic duo of Keeley Moss and Alan Maguire, ‘Floating Above Everything Else’ is a gorgeous collection of shimmering pop that leans into the 1980’s and 90’s for its inspiration.

Lush arrangements and glorious layers abound, all shot through with the distinctive voice of Moss, her ability to switch from silken to spiky, a major selling point here. Whilst the sounds here are a warm, sensual embrace, this never verges into wallpaper music as each track demands to be listened to, the care and attention here reminding you of hours spent on their craft that’s light years away from cookie cutter conveyors.

Opener ‘Seeing Everything’ opens this magical journey as its sublime rhythms synchronise with souls and bring to mind the very finest moments of bands like The Blue Nile and Talk Talk at their most achingly languid.

Similarly, ‘To A London Sunrise’ dreamingly floats along, Moss’s tone a thing of curious wonder that’s able to ramp things up on the jangly ‘The Glitter and the Glue’. Gifted with a plethora of layers, the arrangements and song structures reap rewards with return visits, the individuality flowing from a rich seam of talent.

Vibrant rocker ‘Forever’s Where You Are’ is a standout track but it’s when Keeley lean into ‘Echo Everywhere’ and the aptly titled ‘Totally Entranced’ that they’re at their most beguiling as your wrapped in silken arms whilst being shown a kaleidoscope of glorious shades.

With epic closer ‘Shine a Light’ and the ‘hidden’ acoustic cover of ‘Joni Mitchell’s ‘Both Sides Now’ rounding off the experience, the echoes of ‘Floating Above Everything Else’ will stay long in the memory and heart. Truly, the gramophone was invented for music such as this. ****1/2

Review by Paul Monkhouse

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