Keane
Cause And Effect

End of decade of great comebacks for English music.

From the missed (at least in the studio) come back of the Stone Roses to the very successful ones of Ride and Liam Gallagher, up to the upcoming return of the Doves, the rock music scene is slowly being repopulated with artists who had been shelved but are now finding success and artistic relevance once again.

In this scenario, Keane are also playing their cards. In truth, we are not talking about an extended hiatus like the Roses (seven years since the last studio work “Strangeland”, followed in 2013 by a celebratory best-of with unreleased tracks), and moreover, the two prominent members Tom Chaplin (vocals) and Tim Rice-Oxley (band's keyboardist and songwriter) have not been idle: while the former released two successful solo albums, the latter released in 2018 the second work of his side project Mt. Desolation (along with bandmate and bassist Jesse Quin and members of Mumford & Sons, The Killers, and The Staves).

Through all this, Chaplin had to fight a tough battle against drug addiction (which almost cost him his life in 2015) while Rice-Oxley faced a severe depression following the end of his marriage. All these negative experiences have influenced the creation of this new “Cause And Effect”.

To be honest, the effects are evident more on a lyrical level, as musically, Keane don't stray much from what was done with previous studio works (excluding perhaps the controversial kitsch experiment “Perfect Symmetry”). Producer Dave Kosten (Bat For Lashes) opts for a conservative approach, and apart from the declared homage to The Killers of the single “The Way I Feel,” the album remains quite firm on typically Kean-esque coordinates.

Some tracks are certainly darker compared to what was done in the past: the beautiful “Put The Radio On” opens on rather foggy ambient coordinates, only to unfold in a typically Keane-like crescendo. The same goes for “Thread,” almost whispered, while “Chase The Night Away” harks back to the never forgotten debut “Hopes And Fears.” The tempo only picks up in a few instances, such as in the second single “Love Too Much” and in the pounding piano of “Phases,” another potential single; there's also a tribute to Radiohead in the piano of the opener “You’re Not Home,” which suddenly takes off and sticks to your ears with remarkable ease.

A cozy and reassuring return for Keane, who, at least for now, avoid taking risks and decide to start again from what they do best.

Best track: You’re Not Home