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Listen to Keo’s soaring new single ‘Pistol’
The band, who recently opened for Wolf Alice at London’s Finsbury Park, release their debut album this autumn, following slots at Reading & Leeds
Keo have shared a new single, ‘Pistol’ – you can listen to it below.
The song will appear on the London-based band’s debut studio album, ‘Put A Smile On For Me’, which is released on September 25 via Island. Pre-order/pre-save here.
Following on from previous track, ‘That’s Me’, Keo’s latest offering begins with a delicate acoustic guitar intro before quickly opening up into a widescreen, soaring anthem.
The emotional cut delves into “the strange persistence of memory; how people, relationships and experiences continue shaping us long after they’ve disappeared”, per a press release.
Speaking about the single, frontman Finn Keogh explained: “I had the imagery of dead stars stuck in my head when writing ‘Pistol’. The idea of something having died years ago but only now seeing its light. I think that imagery can be just as real with people.”
He sings: “Sometimes you see the light, but it’s been gone for years/ And I’ll never forgive myself for that/ No, I never meant to paint you black.”
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The ‘Pistol’ title itself was taken from a lyric that never made the final version of the song, which Keogh couldn’t let go of. It is noted that drummer Oli Spackman’s opening fill – an instinctive moment in the studio – sounds like a pistol firing.
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‘Put A Smile On For Me’ was written and recorded across 10 days. According to Keogh, the material emerged from what he called “a convergence of personal chaos; an unflinching examination of shame, accountability, memory and the uncomfortable process of recognising parts of yourself you’d rather avoid”.
The frontman self-produced the record alongside guitarist Jimmy Lanwern, with the project taking inspiration from the likes of Smashing Pumpkins, Soundgarden and Radiohead. However, it is said that the LP is “carving out a voice entirely its own” over 11 songs.
The tracklist for Keo’s ‘Put A Smile On For Me’ is:
‘Spent On You’
The group recently opened for Wolf Alice at their massive shows in London’s Finsbury Park and Newcastle’s Exhibition Park.
Keo are due to appear at numerous UK festivals this summer, including Reading & Leeds, Latitude, Tramlines, Kendal Calling and Boardmasters.
Their sold-out UK headline tour will follow this autumn, featuring a show at London’s O2 Forum Kentish Town. Find any remaining tickets here, and see the full schedule below.
Keo’s UK headline tour dates for 2026 are:
OCTOBER
24 – O2 Guildhall, Southampton
25 – Tramshed, Cardiff
27 – O2 Academy, Glasgow
29 – O2 Academy, Liverpool
30 – O2 Forum Kentish Town, London
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Keo have shared a new single, ‘Pistol’ – you can listen to it below.
The song will appear on the London-based band’s debut studio album, ‘Put A Smile On For Me’, which is released on September 25 via Island. Pre-order/pre-save here.
Following on from previous track, ‘That’s Me’, Keo’s latest offering begins with a delicate acoustic guitar intro before quickly opening up into a widescreen, soaring anthem.
The emotional cut delves into “the strange persistence of memory; how people, relationships and experiences continue shaping us long after they’ve disappeared”, per a press release.
Speaking about the single, frontman Finn Keogh explained: “I had the imagery of dead stars stuck in my head when writing ‘Pistol’. The idea of something having died years ago but only now seeing its light. I think that imagery can be just as real with people.”
He sings: “Sometimes you see the light, but it’s been gone for years/ And I’ll never forgive myself for that/ No, I never meant to paint you black.”
Recommended
The ‘Pistol’ title itself was taken from a lyric that never made the final version of the song, which Keogh couldn’t let go of. It is noted that drummer Oli Spackman’s opening fill – an instinctive moment in the studio – sounds like a pistol firing.
View this post on Instagram
‘Put A Smile On For Me’ was written and recorded across 10 days. According to Keogh, the material emerged from what he called “a convergence of personal chaos; an unflinching examination of shame, accountability, memory and the uncomfortable process of recognising parts of yourself you’d rather avoid”.
The frontman self-produced the record alongside guitarist Jimmy Lanwern, with the project taking inspiration from the likes of Smashing Pumpkins, Soundgarden and Radiohead. However, it is said that the LP is “carving out a voice entirely its own” over 11 songs.
The tracklist for Keo’s ‘Put A Smile On For Me’ is:
‘Spent On You’
The group recently opened for Wolf Alice at their massive shows in London’s Finsbury Park and Newcastle’s Exhibition Park.
Keo are due to appear at numerous UK festivals this summer, including Reading & Leeds, Latitude, Tramlines, Kendal Calling and Boardmasters.
Their sold-out UK headline tour will follow this autumn, featuring a show at London’s O2 Forum Kentish Town. Find any remaining tickets here, and see the full schedule below.
Keo’s UK headline tour dates for 2026 are:
OCTOBER
24 – O2 Guildhall, Southampton
25 – Tramshed, Cardiff
27 – O2 Academy, Glasgow
29 – O2 Academy, Liverpool
30 – O2 Forum Kentish Town, London
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