Keane - Somewhere Only We Know (Island)

As you may have already been told, Keane are the next Coldplay. To a degree this is true: they released their first single on indy label Fierce Panda, as did Coldplay, and appear to be middle-class, university educated boys whose approach is very much engrained in touching, piano-led music, just like Coldplay.

But the comparison simply doesn’t do Keane justice. Longview were initially greeted in such a way, and ultimately found that familiarity breeds contempt. Somewhere Only We Know, as Keane’s debut on a major label, is epic. It crescendos perfectly, boasting vocals and sentiments that will make your hair stand on end.

Hyped bands seem to be cursed a lot of the time, but I suspect these three lads have already penned tunes that will far outlast any NME-driven media spin. A low key headlining gig is underway, and Somewhere Only We Know should pour from radio systems for months to come - an admirable, endearing and uplifting effort.