KEYS Release New Album “Acid Communism”
Out Now via Libertino
It’s hard to believe that 5 years have passed this the incredible release of “Home Schooling” by Welsh legends KEYS. Casting back to the very odd year of 2020, the album that KEYS shared quickly became one of the most profound and imperative records of our time. And if you think you can’t follow a statement like that, KEYS have proved that they are capable of producing gold once more. The band are back with their new record “Acid Communism”, and with that they showcase this whole new level of progression for the band and creative confidence. The new 12-track album is described as being their boldest and most expansive record to date, the record is easily of the most enthralling and epic collections yet.
The album draws inspiration from the late cultural theorist Mark Fisher, whose unfinished work left a lasting impression on the band. “We were captivated by the poetry of those two words,” Matthew Evans (KEYS – vocalist and songwriter) explains. ACID COMMUNISM isn’t just a title – it’s a guiding principle. ACID symbolises creative play and experimentation, while COMMUNISM speaks to the strength found in (comm)unity. In a time when the internet often amplifies individualism and leans into certain ideologies, the band wanted to celebrate togetherness and collective expression.
While Acid Communism isn’t overtly political, it does pulse with a quiet sense of purpose – to resist isolation, to reconnect with others, and to celebrate the kind of shared, DIY spirit that binds bands, friends, and scenes together. It’s about building something together, rather than standing apart. The band took a hybrid approach to recording. Much of the album started life on 8-track tape before being moved into Logic, capturing a blend of home-recorded warmth with digital precision.
From the very honest and gripping opener of “There’s No I In Teams”, KEYS abruptly establishes their decadent sound and compelling lyrics. A wordsmith that easily sets the scene, a track which so many will find relatable through the lyrics and just like that the emotive resilience of this piece is formed. Backed by the fierce tonality and the intensive highs of the musicianship, it’s pretty clear KEYS have done it again- created a musical jewel.
Next up is THE track of the year, “What Flavour?”. From that palpitating drum shuffle celebrating the track’s intro, to the infectious groove and tweaks that cascade with ease into the blistering soundscape. KEYS have produced and captured a track that just shows the outfits’ new golden era within their craft. Hypnotic gold-plated grooves, infectious melody and this bountiful energy, impressive doesn’t even cover it. This voyage continues to move with this flair that consumes you, the kinetic energy courses from the musicians to the listener. As the track builds you embrace this dazzling structure, tweaks and tones blaze, these are produced and panned to move so freely in this 360 style across the speakers and capture that wholesome full-bodied sound that only KEYS convey. The energy is fearless, as the track expands and further elements are introduced as the raw fuzzy guitar bolsters through in the chorus, with the crisp cymbal hits, the ardent buoyancy of the bass and then the jaunty synth keys and mesmerizing cowbell hits.
Two tracks in and the album is already boasting variety. KEYS have a fearless approach to bring this vivid vision to life, to infuse fun into the soundscape and provide a record that delivers on immense tones and a new kaleidoscopic direction. The energy of this outfit is unmatched. Their time together serves the musicians so well, you experience the impact by the almighty explorations they’ve created and the energy they’ve harnessed into their recorded efforts which hook the audience with this addictive nature.
When you reach “The Greatest Joke Of All Time” you experience that organic influence and heartfelt essence that KEYS gave to us with their 2020 masterpiece. That stunning feeling of warmth and depth runs throughout this composition. The range of hooks in this arrangement keep on giving and it’s the delicate harmony and the reflective lyrics that exude this bountiful character. The drum shuffles in this voyage are one of the highlights on the record. The shimmering air of this release beautifully blends into the next creation “My Temporary Game”. With this track, KEYS head into more explosive textures.
Elsewhere on the record you’ll be blown away by the addictive currents and the impressive guitar tone on “When Melody Was King” which simply melts through the blistering atmosphere. The energy and the phaser effect peaks once more with the upbeat percussion and the deep landscape of “Fish Out Of Water” and a nod to some seriously impressive Maserati/!!! esque riff that builds throughout.
Throughout the 12 tracks, KEYS have captured their own hybrid of elements and influences to produce something so completely unique and very much KEYS. An album of complexities, psych-pop elevated drenched tones to gritty and abrasive passages. It’s a record that speaks purity whilst exuding a contagious flair.
The album travels this vast course that continues to keep you connected from start to finish. KEYS have provided this alluring adventure that shifts from intimate ensemble’s and soft vocal harmonies to more experimental and deeper tracks. Lyrically, you embrace the words and the emotions with ease, whilst the magnitude of the soundscapes leave you in awe. Each atmosphere produced throughout all the tracks give this diverse deliverance, whilst showcasing the glorious range of textures and thrilling melodies. KEYS continues to epitomise the use of expansive grooves and psychedelic attributes whilst capturing that iconic power.
No Comments