Oliver Keane's latest single, "HEY," continues to deliver earworm-ready alt-pop. The new UK talent adopts slick melodies in spliced tandem with a raw, youthful vitality. A highlight from his eagerly-awaited Motion Sickness EP, "HEY," showcases that Keane is claiming it.
"HEY" is all we love about Keane, sharp, emotive songwriting tinged with nostalgia but distinctly fresh. His talent for converting private moments into public anthem Relateone shines through here, as punchy guitars and driving percussion build a sonic landscape that cries out for a windows-down, full-volume singalong. "HEY" throbs with anxious energy, reflecting that feeling of push-and-pull of moving on and remaining mired in the past.
We first had an inkling of Keane's talent in the form of 3.5, a song that revealed his innate gift for melody-driven storytelling. Motion Sickness builds on that foundation and raises it, displaying his burgeoning confidence, honed production, and deeper emotional edge. If "HEY" is anything to go on, it will be a significant moment for Keane to confirm that he's not just another name in the alt-pop crowd but a distinctive voice carving his lane.