London alt-rock four-piece Keo have discussed the making of their debut album, ‘Put A Smile On For Me’, in a backstage interview with NME at Reading Festival 2026. Brothers Finn and Conor Keogh explained that the record continues the largely live approach they used on their 2025 EP ‘Siren’, favouring raw energy and spontaneity over polished, heavily produced takes. This matters for fans anticipating the album, as it signals a deliberate stylistic choice rooted in the band's live reputation rather than studio perfectionism.

The band described recording the album in a room with amps bleeding into drum mics and mostly live vocals, working with friend and engineer Harry Jordan, and prioritising emotional energy over technically flawless takes. Finn cited John Martyn's ‘Solid Air’ and Conor named Nirvana's ‘MTV Unplugged in New York’ as records that inspired this imperfect-but-honest approach. ‘Put A Smile On For Me’ is set for release on 25 September via Island Records, with Reading Festival 2026 continuing with sets from acts including Florence + the Machine, Loyle Carner and Kneecap.