SONG REVIEW: Keeper - "Here We Go"
“Keeper pushing the envelope of genre blending in new single Here We Go”
by Jesse Smith
Genre blending and bending are becoming more and more prevalent in the last couple years. Even in tour and festival lineups, you see an unusual mix of genres that somehow just work. But, something super unique is emerging across the Atlantic. Keeper is a project from London, UK that is blending Pop Punk, Post Hardcore, and Hyper Pop! The addition of fast 808s and hyper pop cadences really push the envelope and adds a completely unique sound that I’ve never heard before! There are acts that teeter on the lines between genres and are more genre fluid rather than diving in and trying something new! In this case, Keeper is one of my new favorite discoveries. Releasing music since 2021, Keeper has been staying incredibly busy and consistent since the first EP release.
The newest release is single “Here We Go” and from the start, it seems like every other modern pop punk solo project. Not bad at all, but it is 100% a set up. Once you get through the first chorus, Keeper busts open a can of fresh 808s and switches the vibe. A hyper pop section in a pop punk track sounds way better than it should. But he doesn’t stop there, he then takes his post hardcore roots and hits you with the heavy! The crushing screaming vocals hit like a massive wave coming out of the Hyper Pop section. Even though Keeper just ran through 3 different genres in less than 45 seconds, the song still seems so together and well written. He nailed it, the song sounds exactly how it’s supposed to and he took the best parts of each genre and highlighted them in one track, it’s brilliant. If that wasn’t enough, a guitar solo may sway you to my side of thinking.
As all over the place the song my sound in my words, it sounds so homogenous that nothing feels forced. This is Keepers 6th release this year and it’s topping my favorites list. I would love to see a deeper dive deeper into hyper pop, but that’s because I love hyper pop and it just hits differently. “Here We Go” is riddled with raw emotion and raw talent. I'm super stoked that I discovered this.