Finn Keane Explained

Finn Keane
Label:PC Music
Years Active:2013–present
Current Member Of:Thy 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

2013–2015: Career beginnings

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.

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

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.

Hannah Diamond released her single "Invisible" in October 2019, co-produced by Keane and Cook.[4] In 2022, Keane produced Bree Runway's single "That Girl".[5] Keane has songwriting and production credits on Charli XCX's mixtapes Number 1 Angel and Pop 2 and her album Charli.[6] [7]

In August 2023, Keane released two EPs named Acoustic and Electric.[8] 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", and included the EP in a list of the best pop music of 2023.[9]

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.[10] Keane also reunited with Cook in a return for Thy Slaughter that year, releasing the album Soft Rock on 1 December 2023.[11] 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. This was one of the final releases from the PC Music label before it pivoted solely to archival releases.

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

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, which was to be a compilation album of his previous work,[15] released a remix of his song "Laplander" and stated that he would fully leave the Easyfun moniker behind.[16] 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.

Discography

EPs

YearTitleRelease dateLabel
2013Debut EP25 June 2013PC Music
2015Deep Trouble26 February 2015
2023Electric11 August 2023
Acoustic13 October 2023

Singles

YearTitleRelease dateLabel
2016"Monopoly" (featuring Noonie Bao)15 November 2016PC 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

!Year!Title!Artist(s)!Album!Credits!Writer(s)!Producer(s)
2016"Got My Chad"GFOTYVIPOTYCo-writer/co-producerGFOTY, A. G. Cook, KeaneCook, Keane
"Fade Away"Hannah DiamondReflectionsHannah Amond, Cook, Keane
"Make Believe"
2017"3AM (Pull Up)"(feat. )Charli XCXNumber 1 AngelCharlotte Aitchison, Cook, Keane, Karen Marie Ørsted
"Emotional"Co-producerAitchison, Patrik Berger
"Stranger"IirisCo-writerIiris, Keane, Max DoohanProVerb
"Midnight Vibes"RahRah QKeane, RahRahQ, Brandon Skeie, Miya Folick, Lil DataDavid Gamson
"Backseat"
(feat. Carly Rae Jepsen)
Charli XCXPop 2Co-writer/co-producerAitchison, Cook, Keane, Carly Rae JepsenKeane, 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-producerCharlotte Aitchison, Cook, Henry Allen, Cassia O'Reilly, Karen Marie ØrstedCook, Keane, King Henry
2018"Be My Anime"Rat BoyCivil DisorderRat Boy, L DevineKeane, Rat Boy
"You Say"Sarah CloseAnd Now, We're ShiningCo-writer/producerSarah Close, Christy "Zee" Zakarias, Jerker Hansson, KeaneKeane
"Apps"
(feat. Robokid)
SakimaProducerSAKIMA, Robokid
"Let You Love Me"Rita OraPhoenixCo-writer/co-producerRita Ora, Fred Gibson, Keane, Linus Wiklund, Noonie Bao, Ilsey JuberFred Again, Keane
2019"Sick Thoughts"Lou BlissCo-writer/producerMelissa Faith Storwick, James Yami Bell, Keane, Lou BlissKeane
"Blame It On Your Love"
(feat. Lizzo)
Charli XCXCharliCo-writer/additional productionAitchison, Noonie Bao, Lizzo, Sasha Sloan, StarGate, KeaneStarGate, Keane (add.), Cook (add.)
"Official"Co-writer/co- producerAitchison, Cook, Noonie Bao, Berger, KeaneCook, Keane, Berger
"Not Ready for Love"TCTSCo-writerKeane, Gracey, Samuel O'NeillTCTS
"LA & The Parties"Lost KingsLost Angeles EPLuh Kel, Keane, Nick Shanholtz, Paul Jacobs, Robert AbisiLost Kings
"Invisible"Hannah DiamondReflectionsCo-writer/co- producerAmond, Cook, Keane, Thomas Carrell, Christopher MasonCook, Keane
2020"Airhead"A. G. CookAppleCo-writerCook, Hayden Dunham, KeaneCook
"Girl On My Throne"
(feat. Casey MQ)
OklouGaloreMarylou Mayniel, Casey Manierka, Cook, KeaneCasey MQ, Florian Le Prise, Oklou (co.), Cook (add.)
"Little Nokia"Bree Runway2000and4EvaCo-writer/producerBrenda Mensah, Chloe Tighe, KeaneKeane
2021"Want"MNDRHell To Be You BabyCo-writerAmanda Warner, Keane, Peter Wade KeuschMNDR, Peter Wade, Babydaddy
"Gone"Amanda Warner, Keane, Peter Wade Keusch, Scott Hoffman, Thomas George Stafford
"You For Me"
(feat. Rita Ora)
SigalaCook, Aitchison, Keane, Joakim Jarl, Madison Love, Rita Sahatçiu Ora, Bruce FielderSigala, Jarly, Neave Applebaum
"Sad Song"GraceyFragile EPProducerFinlay Dow Smith, Grace Barker, Jonny WriteKeane, Starsmith
2022"Into My Arms"HydNick CaveKeane
"Somebody Like You"Bree RunwayCo-writer/co-producerBrenda Mensah, Keane, Klahr, Levi Gordon, LiohnKeane, Liohn, Klahr, Levi Gordon
"Co1n"LVL1PlayCo-writer/producerEmilio Martín, Keane, Guillermo Rodriguez Moracho, Luthien Barrea BarrosoKeane
"Lonely Heart"
(feat. Gracey)
EuropaAdditional productionTimucin Lam, Martin Solveig, Josh Grimmet, Ethan Shore, Grace BarkerJax Jones, Martin Solveig, Goodboys (add.), Neave Applebaum (add.), Keane (add.), Mark Ralph (add.)
"So Clear"HydClearingCo-writer/co-producerHyd, Keane, SophieKeane, Sophie, Cook (add.)
"Breaking Ground"Co-writer/producerHyd, KeaneKeane, Cook (add.)
"Chlorophyll"Co-writer/co-producerThy Slaughter
"Archive Mami"Bree RunwayWOAH, WHAT A BLURCo-writer/producerBree Runway, Keane, Richard ZastenkerKeane
"Breee!"Co-writer/co-producerBree Runway, Keane, Klahr, Richard Zastenker, Atia "Ink" BoggsLiohn, Klahr, Keane
"FWMM"Bree Runway, Keane, Klahr, Liohn, Trey Campbell
"That Girl"Co-writer/producerBree Runway, Keane, Richard ZastenkerKeane
2023"Speed Drive"Charli XCXBarbie the AlbumCo-writer/producerCharli 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"BirdyPortraitsAdditional productionBirdy, Gabe Simon, Mark Crew, Dan PriddyGabe Simon, Mark Crew, Dan Priddy, Keane (add.)
"Impossible"Hannah DiamondPerfect PictureCo-writerHannah Amond, David Gamson, Alexander Guy Cook, Keane, Nate CampanyDavid Gamson
"Think Of Us"
(with GRACEY)
The ChainsmokersSummertime FriendsCo-writer/co-producerAlex Pall, Andrew Taggart, Keane, Grace BarkerThe Chainsmokers, Keane
2024"Ride or Die"Baby QueenCo-producerBaby Queen, King EdKing Ed, Keane
"360"Charli XCXBratCo-writer/additional productionCook, Blake Slatkin, Aitchison, Keane, Henry Walter, Omer FediCook, Cirkut, Keane (add.)
"Sympathy Is a Knife"Co-writer/co-producerAitchison, Keane, Jonathan Christopher ShaveCharli XCX, Keane
"Von Dutch"Co-writer/producerAitchison, KeaneKeane
"So I"Co-writerAitchison, Keane, ShaveCook, Jon Shave
"I Think About It All the Time"Co-writer/co-producerCook, Aitchison, Keane, ShaveCook, Keane
"Spring Breakers"Cook, Keane, Shave
"Just Like That"Bree RunwayBrenda Mensah, Keane, Richard ZastenkerKeane, Johannes Klahr, Richard Zastenker
"If You Get It You Get It"BiminiBimini, Keane, Grace Barker, Matt RadMatt Rad, Keane
"Control"Bimini, Keane, Matt Rad, Sarah Boe
"2BadGyalz"Bree RunwayCo-producerBrenda MensahRaf Riley, Keane
"So Tru"Confidence Man3AM (LA LA LA)Co-writer/additional productionJanet Planet, Sugar Bones, Reggie Goodchild, Ina Wroldsen, KeaneReggie Goodchild, Keane (add.)
"I've Got This All Under ControlWillow KayneCo-writer/co-producerKeane, James Murray, Mustafa Omer, Willow KayneMojam, Keane
2025"Cupid's Bow"Olly AlexanderPolariAdditional productionOlly Alexander, Danny L HarleDanny L Harle, Keane (add.)
"Dizzy"Olly Alexander, Danny L Harle

Remixes

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

Notes and References

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