Finn Keane

Finn Keane
Background information
Genres
Occupations
  • Record producer
  • DJ
  • musician
  • songwriter
Years active2013–present
LabelsPC Music
Member ofThy Slaughter

Finn Keane, previously known as Easyfun (stylised in all caps and formerly as easyFun), is a British songwriter and record producer. He is known for his frequent collaborations with Charli XCX, his releases on experimental pop label PC Music, and his work with the label's founder A. G. Cook in the duo Thy Slaughter. His work with Charli XCX has earned him two nominations at the Grammy Awards; Album of the Year for Brat and Best Dance Pop Recording for "Von Dutch".[1]

Career

[edit]

2013–2015: Career beginnings

[edit]

Keane's first release in 2013, originally under the name Easyfun, was a five-track self-titled EP with an early version of what would become PC Music's signature sound of bubblegum pop, futuristic riffs and chaotic arrangements.[2] Pitchfork later described the album as a "gaseous and disorienting beat tape that sounded a little like a methed-out take on TNGHT’s permanently in-the-red hip-hop experiments."[3]

Keane also joined the collaborative project Thy Slaughter with PC Music founder A. G. Cook in 2014, releasing their debut single, "Bronze", as part of PC Music Volume 1. Cook and Keane did not release any further music under the Thy Slaughter name for the following nine years.[4]

2016–2024: Songwriting and production, EPs, Thy Slaughter return and Brat

[edit]

Cook and Keane eventually started the collaboration easyFX as part of a Columbia Records deal with PC Music. Under this name, the two worked together to write and produce songs for Columbia to assign to its emerging artists. This project was later dropped when management at Columbia changed and PC Music lost its supporters within the label.[2]

Hannah Diamond released her single "Invisible" in October 2019, co-produced by Keane and Cook.[5] In 2022, Keane produced Bree Runway's single "That Girl".[6] Keane has songwriting and production credits on Charli XCX's mixtapes Number 1 Angel and Pop 2 and her album Charli.[7][8]

In August 2023, Keane released two EPs named Acoustic and Electric.[9] Pitchfork gave Electric a score of 7.1/10, calling its songs "works of unadulterated nostalgia" and "a surprisingly emotional experience" with "deep, shuddering bass notes and unashamedly romantic melodies",[3] and included the EP in a list of the best pop music of 2023.[10]

In June 2023, Charli XCX released the Keane-produced single "Speed Drive" as part of Barbie the Album, the soundtrack of the 2023 film Barbie.[11] Keane also reunited with Cook in a return for Thy Slaughter that year, releasing the album Soft Rock on 1 December 2023.[4][9] This followed the singles "Sentence" and "If I Knew",[12] as well as the release of singles "Lost Everything" and "Reign" on 16 November that year which were used to announce the album. "Lost Everything" was co-written by the late Sophie and Ellie Rowsell.[4] This was one of the final releases from the PC Music label before it pivoted solely to archival releases.[12]

Keane worked with Cook and George Daniel on the production for Charli XCX's 2024 album Brat. Keane has stated that in producing the album he tried to "make the strongest and most confident music" he could, and noted that he and Charli XCX had created "Speed Drive" and "Von Dutch" in one day.[13]

2024–present: EasyGroup lawsuit and The Finn Keane Album

[edit]
Keane's logo prior to the EasyGroup lawsuit
EasyJet's logo

In October 2023, EasyJet's parent company EasyGroup sued the music label PC Music and its founder, Cook, for "mimic[ing] easyGroup’s famous branding to create instant brand recognition for his ‘DJing business." The lawsuit initially resulted in only the cover for Keane's album Deep Trouble being changed; it had originally depicted people leaving an aircraft which bore the text "easyFun" after a water landing, but was changed to a computer-generated image of water with Easyfun's logo at its base.[14] However in October 2024, Keane announced The Finn Keane Album,[15] which was to be a compilation album of his previous work,[16] released a remix of his song "Laplander" and stated that he would fully leave the Easyfun moniker behind.[15] On the same day as this announcement, Willow Kayne released her Keane-produced single "I’ve Got This All Under Control", featuring "synthesizers, fast-paced percussion, and a prominent bassline" according to Dork.[17] He fully retired the name at PC Music's Halloween event, Pop Crypt II, in London.[16]

Discography

[edit]

EPs

[edit]
Year Title Release date Label
2013 Easyfun 25 June 2013 PC Music
2015 Deep Trouble 26 February 2015
2023 Electric 11 August 2023
Acoustic 13 October 2023

Singles

[edit]
Year Title Release date Label
2016 "Monopoly" (featuring Noonie Bao) 15 November 2016 PC Music
2017 "Blink" 28 July 2017
2018 "Be Your USA" (featuring Iiris) 25 May 2018
2022 "Audio" 21 April 2022
2023 "Audio (All I Ever Got)" 28 September 2023
"Sentence" / "If I Knew" (with A. G. Cook, as Thy Slaughter) 26 October 2023
"Lost Everything" / "Reign" (with A. G. Cook, as Thy Slaughter) 16 November 2023
2024 "Laplander" (Finn Keane remix) 17 October 2024

Songwriting and production credits

[edit]
Year Title Artist(s) Album Credits Writer(s) Producer(s)
2016 "Got My Chad" GFOTY VIPOTY Co-writer/co-producer GFOTY, A. G. Cook, Keane Cook, Keane
"Fade Away" Hannah Diamond Reflections Hannah Amond, Cook, Keane
"Make Believe"
2017 "3AM (Pull Up)"

(feat. )

Charli XCX Number 1 Angel Charlotte Aitchison, Cook, Keane, Karen Marie Ørsted
"Emotional" Co-producer Aitchison, Patrik Berger
"Stranger" Iiris Non-album single Co-writer Iiris, Keane, Max Doohan ProVerb
"Midnight Vibes" RahRah Q Keane, RahRahQ, Brandon Skeie, Miya Folick, Lil Data David Gamson
"Backseat"
(feat. Carly Rae Jepsen)
Charli XCX Pop 2 Co-writer/co-producer Aitchison, Cook, Keane, Carly Rae Jepsen Keane, Cook
"Femmebot"
(feat. Dorian Electra & Mykki Blanco)
A. G. Cook, David Gamson, Keane, Francisca Hall, Michael Quattelbaum Jr. Cook, David Gamson, Keane
"Porsche"
(feat. MØ)
Co-producer Charlotte Aitchison, Cook, Henry Allen, Cassia O'Reilly, Karen Marie Ørsted Cook, Keane, King Henry
2018 "Be My Anime" Rat Boy Civil Disorder Rat Boy, L Devine Keane, Rat Boy
"You Say" Sarah Close And Now, We're Shining Co-writer/producer Sarah Close, Christy "Zee" Zakarias, Jerker Hansson, Keane Keane
"Apps"
(feat. Robokid)
Sakima Non-album single Producer SAKIMA, Robokid
"Let You Love Me" Rita Ora Phoenix Co-writer/co-producer Rita Ora, Fred Gibson, Keane, Linus Wiklund, Noonie Bao, Ilsey Juber Fred Again, Keane
2019 "Sick Thoughts" Lou Bliss Non-album single Co-writer/producer Melissa Faith Storwick, James Yami Bell, Keane, Lou Bliss Keane
"Blame It On Your Love"
(feat. Lizzo)
Charli XCX Charli Co-writer/additional production Aitchison, Noonie Bao, Lizzo, Sasha Sloan, StarGate, Keane StarGate, Keane (add.), Cook (add.)
"Official" Co-writer/co- producer Aitchison, Cook, Noonie Bao, Berger, Keane Cook, Keane, Berger
"Not Ready for Love" TCTS Non-album single Co-writer Keane, Gracey, Samuel O'Neill TCTS
"LA & The Parties" Lost Kings Lost Angeles EP Luh Kel, Keane, Nick Shanholtz, Paul Jacobs, Robert Abisi Lost Kings
"Invisible" Hannah Diamond Reflections Co-writer/co- producer Amond, Cook, Keane, Thomas Carrell, Christopher Mason Cook, Keane
2020 "Airhead" A. G. Cook Apple Co-writer Cook, Hayden Dunham, Keane Cook
"Girl On My Throne"
(feat. Casey MQ)
Oklou Galore Marylou Mayniel, Casey Manierka, Cook, Keane Casey MQ, Florian Le Prise, Oklou (co.), Cook (add.)
"Little Nokia" Bree Runway 2000and4Eva Co-writer/producer Brenda Mensah, Chloe Tighe, Keane Keane
2021 "Want" MNDR Hell To Be You Baby Co-writer Amanda Warner, Keane, Peter Wade Keusch MNDR, Peter Wade, Babydaddy
"Gone" Amanda Warner, Keane, Peter Wade Keusch, Scott Hoffman, Thomas George Stafford
"You For Me"
(feat. Rita Ora)
Sigala Non-album single Cook, Aitchison, Keane, Joakim Jarl, Madison Love, Rita Sahatçiu Ora, Bruce Fielder Sigala, Jarly, Neave Applebaum
"Sad Song" Gracey Fragile EP Producer Finlay Dow Smith, Grace Barker, Jonny Write Keane, Starsmith
2022 "Into My Arms" Hyd Non-album single Nick Cave Keane
"Somebody Like You" Bree Runway Co-writer/co-producer Brenda Mensah, Keane, Klahr, Levi Gordon, Liohn Keane, Liohn, Klahr, Levi Gordon
"Co1n" LVL1 Play Co-writer/producer Emilio Martín, Keane, Guillermo Rodriguez Moracho, Luthien Barrea Barroso Keane
"Lonely Heart"
(feat. Gracey)
Europa Non-album single Additional production Timucin Lam, Martin Solveig, Josh Grimmet, Ethan Shore, Grace Barker Jax Jones, Martin Solveig, Goodboys (add.), Neave Applebaum (add.), Keane (add.), Mark Ralph (add.)
"So Clear" Hyd Clearing Co-writer/co-producer Hyd, Keane, Sophie Keane, Sophie, Cook (add.)
"Breaking Ground" Co-writer/producer Hyd, Keane Keane, Cook (add.)
"Chlorophyll" Co-writer/co-producer Thy Slaughter
"Archive Mami" Bree Runway WOAH, WHAT A BLUR! Co-writer/producer Bree Runway, Keane, Richard Zastenker Keane
"Breee!" Co-writer/co-producer Bree Runway, Keane, Klahr, Richard Zastenker, Atia "Ink" Boggs Liohn, Klahr, Keane
"FWMM" Bree Runway, Keane, Klahr, Liohn, Trey Campbell
"That Girl" Co-writer/producer Bree Runway, Keane, Richard Zastenker Keane
2023 "Speed Drive" Charli XCX Barbie the Album Co-writer/producer Charli XCX, David James Parker, Keane, Ewart Everton Brown, Fabian Peter Torsson, Frans Joakim Ahlund, Klas Frans Åhlund, Michael Chapman, Nicholas Chinn, Patrik Knut Arve, Sylvia Robinson, Troy Rami
"Automatic" Birdy Portraits Additional production Birdy, Gabe Simon, Mark Crew, Dan Priddy Gabe Simon, Mark Crew, Dan Priddy, Keane (add.)
"Impossible" Hannah Diamond Perfect Picture Co-writer Hannah Amond, David Gamson, Alexander Guy Cook, Keane, Nate Campany David Gamson
"Think Of Us"
(with GRACEY)
The Chainsmokers Summertime Friends Co-writer/co-producer Alex Pall, Andrew Taggart, Keane, Grace Barker The Chainsmokers, Keane
2024 "Ride or Die" Baby Queen TBA Co-producer Baby Queen, King Ed King Ed, Keane
"360" Charli XCX Brat Co-writer/additional production Cook, Blake Slatkin, Aitchison, Keane, Henry Walter, Omer Fedi Cook, Cirkut, Keane (add.)
"Sympathy Is a Knife" Co-writer/co-producer Aitchison, Keane, Jonathan Christopher Shave Charli XCX, Keane
"Von Dutch" Co-writer/producer Aitchison, Keane Keane
"So I" Co-writer Aitchison, Keane, Shave Cook, Jon Shave
"I Think About It All the Time" Co-writer/co-producer Cook, Aitchison, Keane, Shave Cook, Keane
"Spring Breakers" Cook, Keane, Shave
"Just Like That" Bree Runway TBA Brenda Mensah, Keane, Richard Zastenker Keane, Johannes Klahr, Richard Zastenker
"If You Get It You Get It" Bimini Bimini, Keane, Grace Barker, Matt Rad Matt Rad, Keane
"Control" Bimini, Keane, Matt Rad, Sarah Boe
"2BadGyalz" Bree Runway Co-producer Brenda Mensah Raf Riley, Keane
"So Tru" Confidence Man 3AM (LA LA LA) Co-writer/additional production Janet Planet, Sugar Bones, Reggie Goodchild, Ina Wroldsen, Keane Reggie Goodchild, Keane (add.)
"I've Got This All Under Control Willow Kayne TBA Co-writer/co-producer Keane, James Murray, Mustafa Omer, Willow Kayne Mojam, Keane
2025 "Cupid's Bow" Olly Alexander Polari Additional production Olly Alexander, Danny L Harle Danny L Harle, Keane (add.)
"Dizzy" Olly Alexander, Danny L Harle

Remixes

[edit]
Year Title Artist(s)
2015 "I.D.L" Life Sim (with A. G. Cook, as Thy Slaughter)
2017 "Taker" K.I.D
2017 "No Sleeep" Janet Jackson
2018 "Wildfire" Slow Magic
2019 "Comme si" Christine and the Queens
"1999" Charli XCX, Troye Sivan
2021 "Beautiful Superstar" A. G. Cook
"4Runner" Rostam
2022 "Demonic" Namasenda, La Zowi (with A. G. Cook, as Thy Slaughter)
2024 "Sympathy Is a Knife" Charli XCX, Ariana Grande
"Everything is Romantic" Charli XCX, Caroline Polachek
"B2B" Charli XCX, Tinashe
"365" Charli XCX, Shygirl, Toby Wincorn
"Spring Breakers" Charli XCX, Kesha

References

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  1. ^ "Finn Keane | Artist". The Recording Academy. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  2. ^ a b Bulut, Selim (2019-12-20). "The history of PC Music, the most exhilarating record label of the 2010s". Dazed. Retrieved 2024-10-30.
  3. ^ a b D’Souza, Shaad. "easyFun: ELECTRIC EP". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2024-10-30.
  4. ^ a b c Ruiz, Matthew Ismael (2023-11-16). "PC Music's A. G. Cook and Easyfun Detail Debut Thy Slaughter Album, Share New Songs". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2023-11-19.
  5. ^ "Hannah Diamond shares new track 'Invisible'". DIY. 31 October 2019. Retrieved 2020-01-08.
  6. ^ Haile, Heven. "Bree Runway: "That Girl"". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2024-10-30.
  7. ^ "Charli XCX - Charli". Discogs. Retrieved 2020-01-08.
  8. ^ "Charli XCX - Number 1 Angel / Pop 2". Discogs. Retrieved 2020-01-08.
  9. ^ a b Martin, Felicity (2023-12-11). "A trip inside PC Music's visual universe with designer Timothy Luke". Dazed. Retrieved 2024-10-30.
  10. ^ "The Best Pop Music of 2023". Pitchfork. 2023-12-12. Retrieved 2024-10-30.
  11. ^ Ruiz, Matthew Ismael (2023-06-29). "Listen to Charli XCX's New Barbie Movie Song". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2024-10-30.
  12. ^ a b Minsker, Evan (2023-10-26). "Thy Slaughter, A. G. Cook and Easyfun's New Project, Share New Songs". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2024-10-30.
  13. ^ Dunworth, Liberty (2024-09-06). "A. G. Cook and Finn Keane on what sets Charli XCX apart – and what makes something 'Brat'". NME. Retrieved 2024-10-30.
  14. ^ "EasyJet founder is suing Easyfun accusing the artist of "mimicking" their brand". Mixmag. Retrieved 2024-10-23.
  15. ^ a b Kelly, Tyler Damara (2024-10-17). "EASYFUN announces his new moniker alongside forthcoming album, The Finn Keane Album". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 2024-10-30.
  16. ^ a b Young, Martyn (2024-11-01). "Finn Keane might not be taking it easy, but he's sure having fun". Dork. Retrieved 2024-11-04.
  17. ^ Taylor, Sam (2024-10-17). "Willow Kayne has unveiled her latest single 'I've Got This All Under Control', produced by Easyfun". Dork. Retrieved 2024-10-30.