Glen Keys
So we were contacted by a chap called Glen Keys a while back asking us to check out his music to see what we thought. Glen is an Irish singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist based on France who independently released his album, How2scratcha7year1tch, in 2012. Now musically, Glen describes his music as funk mixed with blues mixed with rock – which sounds like a pretty cool to me! Add in a hometown of Funk City and we’re looking to be on a winner before we’ve even hit play – so what of the music?
Opening with Don’t Give A Funk things get off to a funky start from the word go, kicking into a bass fuelled melee of laid back vocals, smooth drumlines and funk filled guitar tones. Growing as it progresses, more and more elements are incorporated into the mix, forming into a sound that’s impossible to resist, the sort of thing which is going to get you moving from the word go. Funky bass, soaring lead guitar lines, faded back brass sections and gravelly and upbeat vocals – this track has it all, and sets the scene for a hell of an album to follow on. Moving on to Shock Tactics, the theme of upbeat and funk fuelled moments continues, this time opening with an organ before launching into an almost Red Hot Chilli Peppers style track. Spat vocals combine with funky guitar lines, once again forming a mix designed to get feet tapping, heads nodding and people moving along. Still managing to create the sort of track which packs enough of a punch to keep you happy, whilst keeping things laid back, funky and cool, this is basically a continuation of the opening moments of the record – and it hits all of the right notes. Imagine kicking back on a sunny day, beer in hand and generally feeling damned good about life – this is music for that moment, and it takes you there from the off.
Next track Imola once again continues to push the boundaries of funk rock, adding in a serious dose of slap bass to keep things moving before once again ushering in an urgent, upbeat and funk fuelled melee of different elements. Another track designed for a damned good time, once again it’s hard to pick fault in this track, and before long you’re reaching for the volume up button, cranking it as loud as possible and moving along to what’s on offer. There’s a slight difference here in some elements, as at times the track takes on an almost 80’s style feel, somehow offering a refined sound alongside a classic approach, something which adds a whole new dimension into things. Much the same sort of sound greets us for the opening of Dope, once again using the guitar to the best of its ability and forming a sound designed to get you moving along. Deep and bass heavy rhythms vibrate out of the speakers through this track, adding a sense of depth and progression to things whilst forming an accessible and light hearted track once again designed for a good time.
Continuing through More, Break, Pixie Minx and Turn Me Loose (Piano Remix), each continues to add a new approach into the mix. From the laid back tones of Break through to the emotional edge of Turn Me Loose, each track comes as a little insight into the world of Glen Keys, developing the understanding we have of his music and the meaning behind it. It’s when I Will Be There comes about though that another high point is reached, once again accentuating the guitar work to get things moving fully, whilst incorporating a groovy edge into things to elevate the sound. Landing somewhere between funky and emotional, this track has single written all over it, once again showing the ability on offer and offering up a track which is sure to stick on your ‘now playing’ list for a long while to come.
It’s only then left for Bring The Rain to close things, finishing on a track which once again uses all of the funky elements on offer to form a sound which is impossible to resist, and leaving the album way open for a follow up. Light hearted and full to the brim with groove orientated riffery, the final moments here leave things on a high, and you safe in the knowledge that what you’ve heard has been real, down to earth and honest music – and it’s been damned good to hear!
I’ve been sat on this submission for a while now, and since getting it in have listened through things a few times, just to make sure I knew what I wanted to say. From start to finish this is an album which does what it says on the tin, pushing out funky grooves, catchy hooks and moments which are going to get you singing, moving, and loving what you’re hearing. Definitely a record to kick back to on a sunny, warm day – make sure you get over and check this out.
To find out more about Glen Keys, check out his Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls
Opening with Don’t Give A Funk things get off to a funky start from the word go, kicking into a bass fuelled melee of laid back vocals, smooth drumlines and funk filled guitar tones. Growing as it progresses, more and more elements are incorporated into the mix, forming into a sound that’s impossible to resist, the sort of thing which is going to get you moving from the word go. Funky bass, soaring lead guitar lines, faded back brass sections and gravelly and upbeat vocals – this track has it all, and sets the scene for a hell of an album to follow on. Moving on to Shock Tactics, the theme of upbeat and funk fuelled moments continues, this time opening with an organ before launching into an almost Red Hot Chilli Peppers style track. Spat vocals combine with funky guitar lines, once again forming a mix designed to get feet tapping, heads nodding and people moving along. Still managing to create the sort of track which packs enough of a punch to keep you happy, whilst keeping things laid back, funky and cool, this is basically a continuation of the opening moments of the record – and it hits all of the right notes. Imagine kicking back on a sunny day, beer in hand and generally feeling damned good about life – this is music for that moment, and it takes you there from the off.
Next track Imola once again continues to push the boundaries of funk rock, adding in a serious dose of slap bass to keep things moving before once again ushering in an urgent, upbeat and funk fuelled melee of different elements. Another track designed for a damned good time, once again it’s hard to pick fault in this track, and before long you’re reaching for the volume up button, cranking it as loud as possible and moving along to what’s on offer. There’s a slight difference here in some elements, as at times the track takes on an almost 80’s style feel, somehow offering a refined sound alongside a classic approach, something which adds a whole new dimension into things. Much the same sort of sound greets us for the opening of Dope, once again using the guitar to the best of its ability and forming a sound designed to get you moving along. Deep and bass heavy rhythms vibrate out of the speakers through this track, adding a sense of depth and progression to things whilst forming an accessible and light hearted track once again designed for a good time.
Continuing through More, Break, Pixie Minx and Turn Me Loose (Piano Remix), each continues to add a new approach into the mix. From the laid back tones of Break through to the emotional edge of Turn Me Loose, each track comes as a little insight into the world of Glen Keys, developing the understanding we have of his music and the meaning behind it. It’s when I Will Be There comes about though that another high point is reached, once again accentuating the guitar work to get things moving fully, whilst incorporating a groovy edge into things to elevate the sound. Landing somewhere between funky and emotional, this track has single written all over it, once again showing the ability on offer and offering up a track which is sure to stick on your ‘now playing’ list for a long while to come.
It’s only then left for Bring The Rain to close things, finishing on a track which once again uses all of the funky elements on offer to form a sound which is impossible to resist, and leaving the album way open for a follow up. Light hearted and full to the brim with groove orientated riffery, the final moments here leave things on a high, and you safe in the knowledge that what you’ve heard has been real, down to earth and honest music – and it’s been damned good to hear!
I’ve been sat on this submission for a while now, and since getting it in have listened through things a few times, just to make sure I knew what I wanted to say. From start to finish this is an album which does what it says on the tin, pushing out funky grooves, catchy hooks and moments which are going to get you singing, moving, and loving what you’re hearing. Definitely a record to kick back to on a sunny, warm day – make sure you get over and check this out.
To find out more about Glen Keys, check out his Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls