By: Staff
James Keen Unveils Solo Album Crossover, a Bold and Emotional Exploration of Folk Rock and Beyond
In an era where collaboration often defines the creative process, James Keen's latest album, Crossover, stands as a bold testament to the power of solo artistry. The acclaimed singer/songwriter, best known for his role as the frontman of MAGAZINE GAP, has embarked on a deeply personal journey, crafting an album that is as introspective as it is expansive.
‘Crossover’ emerges from a period of isolation, a time that for many became a cocoon of creativity. Keen used the solitude of lockdown not as a hurdle, but as a canvas to paint his most authentic work yet. This highly anticipated solo project is entirely a product of Keen’s singular vision—written, recorded, performed, produced, and mixed by the artist himself. But don’t mistake this independence for a lack of ambition. ‘Crossover’ is rich with a diverse array of sounds and genres, presenting a tapestry of contemporary pop-rock and acoustic melodies that are both timeless and refreshing.
With eleven original tracks, ‘Crossover’ showcases Keen’s evolution as an artist. The album's sonic landscape is marked by sublime melodies and hypnotic guitar solos that uplift and connect with listeners on a profound level. Two of its standout tracks have already earned recognition as finalists for the International Acoustic Music Awards, a testament to the album's compelling quality and Keen’s artistic depth.
Keen’s journey as an artist is as global as his sound. Born in Australia, raised in Hong Kong, and currently based in London, his multicultural background weaves a rich tapestry into his music. His early inspiration came from Paul Simon’s Graceland, a record known for its vibrant textures and innovative approach. Keen’s own work reflects this admiration, blending genres with a seamless elegance that has become his signature.
While Keen's previous work with MAGAZINE GAP demonstrated a thoughtful and melodically warm style, ‘Crossover’ takes this a step further. The album melds Pop, RnB, Soft Rock, and Folk elements into a cohesive sound that has drawn comparisons to legends like Neil Young and Tracy Chapman. Each track is a testament to Keen’s ability to fuse modern production with the purity of singer-songwriter storytelling.
James Keen's latest album, Crossover, is a tour de force of solo artistry and emotional depth. From the very first track, Keen proves that he is not just a musician, but a storyteller with a profound ability to connect with listeners. Here’s a glimpse into the standout tracks of this remarkable album:
"Show Me What You Got" kicks off with a bang, diving headfirst into a compelling blend of folk rock and guitar-driven intensity. Keen’s vocals are nothing short of electrifying, delivering an earnest and emotional performance that grabs you from the start. The track opens with a powerful declaration—“now listen up, this has gone on too long I’ve had enough”—drawing you into the artist’s world of raw emotion. The harmonies are sheer ear candy, and the guitar solo is so masterfully crafted that it could stand alone as its own piece of art.
"Falling or Flying" begins with a captivating acoustic guitar and a beat that perfectly complements each strum. Keen’s powerful vocal delivery shines here, with his voice impeccably placed in the mix. The engineer did a smack up job to make sure on this track and all the others that vocals are crystal clear, allowing every nuance to be appreciated. The song’s lyrics—“there is a point of no return”—pose a thought-provoking question, bringing a sense of vulnerability and introspection to the forefront.
"Crossover", the album’s title track, features a stunning vocal opening supported by a rhythmically beautiful guitar. Keen’s ability to create a rich, orchestral soundscape from a solo effort is truly impressive. The song rolls with a smooth, captivating rhythm that invites you to sit back, close your eyes, and savor the experience. It’s a modern classic in the making.
"Get On Board" is a delightful surprise, fusing elements of rock with a touch of funk. This track will undoubtedly get any crowd on their feet, dancing along with its infectious energy. With echoes of Eddie Money and a top-notch arrangement featuring mini solos and a lively horn section, it’s a track that blends genres effortlessly while keeping the vibe upbeat and exhilarating.
"Glow in the Dark" takes on a gospel-inspired flair, with a delivery that evokes the spirit of Aretha Franklin. The emotional depth and powerful musical arrangement make this track a standout, showcasing Keen’s ability to deliver a moving performance while keeping some of his vocal prowess in reserve for a truly shocking and awe-inspiring moment.
"Crash Landed" introduces a hint of country into its beautiful guitar opening. As Keen croons, “I don’t know where to begin,” the country influences become evident, blending seamlessly with elements of gospel. This track highlights Keen’s remarkable talent for genre fusion, creating a rich and dynamic listening experience.
"On This Rock" features a soft acoustic guitar that will have you swaying and waving your lighters in a live performance. Keen’s heartfelt delivery—“I will always be there for you, forever on your side”—is deeply emotional and almost tearjerking. This track epitomizes the heartfelt connection that Keen strives to achieve with his audience.
James Keen’s Crossover is not just an album; it’s an emotional journey through a spectrum of sounds and feelings. Each track showcases his exceptional talent for blending genres and conveying deep emotion, making it a must-listen for anyone who appreciates truly powerful music.
You can find this on any major platform and see below for links to take you straight to some of the profiles. Make sure to playlist, stream and share James Keen’s Crossover today.
Powerful Quote about this artist:
“James Keen is an artist whose lyrical depth and soulful delivery make him stand out in the contemporary music scene. His ability to blend heartfelt storytelling with a diverse musical palette sets him apart as a truly unique and compelling voice.” — Music Weekly
Wait….. there's more!
We caught up with this exciting artist, for an interview in “The Cage” Music Blog, to talk about music and learn more about them.
Here’s how it went:
Begin Interview
Hello James Keen, we’re thrilled to have you for this interview. We've enjoyed diving into your music and learning about your work, but we're eager to discover even more about you personally and professionally.
Can you describe the type of music that you play and the genre(s) you represent? Are there different styles within your genre?
It's typically acoustic-driven folk-pop or in the catch-all “singer-songwriter” category, but I’ve always tried to blend in a range of different genres, including pop, rock, folk, blues, country, funk, R&B, and jazz elements. What’s important is that every song represents a different flavour, rather than 11 versions of essentially the same song!
What is the spark that inspires your writing process the most?
I need to hit on a musical or lyrical theme that compels me to finish a song, but also one that I like to sing. I write for my voice and if I enjoy singing the melody and the initial lyrical ideas, then that’s probably a good start!
Can you walk us through where the inspiration for this latest project comes from?
When the pandemic hit, I went back to my roots of songwriting, having focused more in the years before on collaborating with my band mates in our eclectic group Magazine Gap, which had stretched me in so many ways. This time I wanted to stretch myself by writing and recording and mixing an entirely solo project. At the same time, the songs still needed to be distinct from each other.
What instrument do you use as the foundation to start your musical creations?
Almost always the guitar. Very occasionally the piano. I had one song on the album that was written on the piano – fully mixed and mastered, but when I listened back it just wasn’t strong enough and didn’t fit. All my albums to date have had 12 songs, but this time I knew I had to drop so that’s sitting in the unreleased folder!
Is there an instrument you do not play, or play leisurely, but wish you could conquer?
Drums – I’d like to one day learn how to lay down a groove on a drum kit!
Where do you create your music—at home in a recording studio or with a producer? How do you finalize your work—self-mixed and mastered or through another source?
For the latest album, it was done entirely at home using LogicPro on my MacBook Pro and Universal Audio interfaces with various gear. It was self-recorded, which was challenging, and then mixed, which was super interesting. It was mastered by John Davis at Metropolis, who has mastered my previous two albums and is one of the best in the world at what he does. Was never going to try to master the album myself and wouldn’t recommend it!
Which of your already released songs is the most important to you or had the most impact on your life or career, and why?
Oh, this is an interesting and hard one… If there’s one older song that I would point people to who’ve never heard my music, and one that I still occasionally play at home (because I like to pick up the guitar and sing it), it’s called “Slipstream”. It also helps having a very cinematic and powerful music video that we shot in Hong Kong whilst on tour, which ends with us at the top of Magazine Gap Road (from where we got the band name). youtu.be/wAW5GjU...FYR5eZ
I think it’s a song that people have gravitated to over many years but most importantly for me perhaps is that it brings me back to my core sound. Everything else is a departure from that, but it can recentre my musical compass.
There is a lot of technology available today. Some artists have described it as “overwhelming” or “too much.” The current climate of music is growing with computers being more prominently used for both creation and correction. Do you feel this has a positive or negative impact on the end result for music?
I think it's overwhelmingly positive. Music is universal and removing the high barriers of entry for people to be able to make a great sounding recording and then getting it out there for people to listen to has to be a good thing. It doesn’t matter if someone is a bedroom artist or a part of a live working band – what matters is whether it’s any good, and I don’t think technology cannot change the quality of fundamental songwriting or musicianship. There should be passion and heart in the lyrics, the music, the vocals, the musicianship, as well as some accomplished execution. The advancing technology is there to better support trying to capture it.
Creating music of this caliber requires immense dedication and skill. Your commitment to your craft is truly admirable. What elements of your dedication do you believe were crucial in bringing this project to fruition?
Thank you and that is a good question, as it often goes overlooked because songs can at first be superficial. You have to believe in a song to want to go right through to the end. To complete writing a song first requires discipline in making sure it’s structured the right way and feels good, then performed in the right way at the right tempo to ensure the vibe is right. Then the musical elements in each song, especially this album where I did it all myself, include adding the electric guitar motifs, the piano, the bass, the drums, the percussion, the backing vocals, and some sonic effects. I spent countless hours on every second of the album and every different layer from the sound of the guitar solo to the level of the tambourine!
What strengths do you possess that you believe have helped you reach your current level as a musician?
Ability to listen and take direction. Whilst I’ve been focused and determined in realising my own vision, I’ve also worked with great people who have taught me so much and pushed me well outside my comfort zone.
Describe your favorite type of venue for performing.
One designing for listening, with a great sound system, and when the size of the audience matches the size of the room or auditorium! I’ve played to small and large audiences, but what matters is the vibe and energy and attentiveness of the crowd. A large venue that’s half-full, or a noisy pub where you’re just background noise, or a FOH sound that is hopelessly engineered so you can’t tell that they can’t hear you well, can be a disaster!
Do you follow a process or ritual before a performance to manage nerves or performance anxiety?
Actually, for many years on the day of a show, I’ve written out my lyrics like I was revising for an exam. This is because whilst my brain is in neutral the words will come out, but if I suddenly catch myself, I need a mental aide-memoire to know where I am and what comes next.
What's the best piece of advice another musician has ever given you?
Oh, I’ve never forget: “Would you buy or even listen to your own album?” It sounds trite, but the point is that creating noise for the sake of it is self-defeating. I made a demo recording early in my musical career and realised I wouldn’t necessarily buy or listen to it myself! When I made my first proper album, I knew it was good when I could answer that question emphatically in the affirmative. I don’t listen to myself all the time of course, but when I do play one of my songs, I’m usually still very happy and enjoy rediscovering it.
Which musicians before you have helped shape the music industry and had an impact on your personal development?
When I was 10 years old, I first heard “Graceland” by Paul Simon and it changed my life. It was so rich and exciting and different as well as a positive, happy listening experience that I knew it would take me down a new road of discovery that I’m still on. I later discovered Bob Dylan and Neil Young, who also changed their sound and style from album to album, and I loved that rich exploration. Those three are my ‘north star’ in what I am trying to do.
What is the most inspirational thing a fan or anyone has told or shown you about your music?
That it gave them solace in their loneliness moment. To know that my music helped give someone comfort when in a difficult point in their life is extremely powerful and certainly inspires me to keep going…
Thank you so much, James Keen, we appreciate you taking the time to talk to us!
End Interview
We’re thrilled to have shared this artist's exciting journey with you and to have uncovered such inspiring details about them.
Now click the links below to experience their incredible work firsthand
Check out this latest release and listen to more of James Keen on Spotify & YouTube.
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