Keaton Henson - Infectious, mysterious, and a recluse.

It never ceases to amaze me how much love and attention Keaton Henson has received over the past year or so, in spite of him repelling all media attention and any prospects of a full UK tour, but I guess that's what makes this great talent all the more endearing to the fellow music lovers out there. I, like most of his fans first encountered Keaton Henson through the first release of his debut single 'You Don't Know How Lucky You Are' which was greeted by the huge appraisal of Zane Lowe, and thus spread all over You Tube resulting in nearly 250,000 views. For an artist who refuses to do interviews, and only does the occasional one-off show in London, this in itself is something of a great achievement. I think what makes you fall in love with Keaton Henson, is his heartbreaking and introvert lyrics which exert an overwhelming sense of melancholy, guilt and nostalgia of past romances that most, if not all listeners can immediately relate too. Each song written on his debut album 'Dear' seems like it came from the pages of his diary, and with it being such a personal record it ironically manages to be applicable to the experiences of love that the listener has endured also. He manages to cultivate a sound that seems so powerful, yet at the same time delicate and mournful. He seems to pause throughout hard hitting, emotive lyrics in order to make the listener linger and reflect, making it the perfect soundtrack for some one going through heart break or loss.

In contrast to this delicate and fragile sound that Keaton Henson incorporates throughout his work, there are outbursts of a more lively sound, filled with distorted guitars and heavy drums which brings in the themes of anger, despair and outrage particularly in 'Kronos' in his second album 'Birthdays'. This magnifies how Keaton Henson is more than capable of just churning out mournful ballads, more over, it pushes the boundaries of what first seems like a folk inspired album. He manages to create something completely original and different from artists like Ben Howard, through his more intellectual and personal lyrics sang through such a delicate voice, which at times sounds like he is verging breaking point just recording the album in the walls within a studio in East London. It's extremely refreshing to see an artist like Keaton Henson possessing such talent for songwriting maintaining a humble perspective, and yet refusing to do press interviews and further more it breeds curiosity from the world of music.  It's clear that he writes with genuine intent and  passion for music, and is more than content with just recording his experiences for listeners to continue to enjoy.

If you haven't heard Keaton Henson and you're a fan of artists such as Bon Iver, then here's 'You Don't Know How Lucky You Are'  I guarantee his sound will become infectious and addictive for you, particularly if you're going through a rough time. Enjoy.