After months of anticipation, acclaimed Houston-born singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist keshi drops his eagerly-awaited sophomore album, Requiem, out now via Island Records. Requiem showcases a dynamic emotional and sonic range, blending luminous alternative pop, dance floor anthems, pensive country, and indie eclecticism. The evocative lyrics reflect on life, death, and love with raw honesty, and keshi adds a personal touch by playing bass, guitar, piano, and viola. A standout track, “Soft Spot,” exemplifies his nuanced, natural pop appeal, pairing deep emotional resonance with authentic, heartfelt performances. I named the album after a song on it that’s dedicated to a friend and collaborator, who passed away just over a couple of years ago now,” keshi shared. “In classical music, a requiem is a piece that you play when laying someone to rest, and this whole record, the culmination of his and our efforts, is my way of doing that for his memory.”
Inviting fans into the world of Requiem, keshi released several standout tracks, including “Texas,” a heartfelt ode to his hometown. The album’s debut track, “Say,” introduced the sonically expansive universe of Requiem and achieved over 1 million streams on Spotify within its first day. In an extensive USA Today profile, “Say” was praised for its city pop tones, and OnesToWatch hailed the track’s “effortlessly funky” vibe and infectious hook.
Keshi has solidified himself as a streaming powerhouse, amassing over 11 billion streams across his trilogy of EPs and his debut album, GABRIEL, in 2022. His impressive catalog has enabled him to sell out shows worldwide, consistently elevating his live performances. In support of Requiem, keshi will embark on a headlining world tour, performing in iconic arenas such as Madison Square Garden, Kia Forum, and The O2.
Born Casey Luong and raised in Sugar Land, Texas, keshi’s career thrived on his ability to convey emotional vulnerability through music. Since 2017, he has released a trilogy of EPs and a breakthrough debut album, GABRIEL, which alone gathered over 3 billion streams. Keshi intricately blends pop, R&B, lo-fi, and hip-hop rhythms into heartfelt confessions about love, loneliness, and loss. After two intense years of global touring, he returned to Texas seeking time and space to create a deeply personal sophomore album. Requiem is the culmination of his journey towards stardom, featuring headline shows at prestigious venues like Madison Square Garden and The O2. Keshi’s meteoric rise includes top-charting singles like “LIMBO,” “UNDERSTAND,” and “GET IT,” and notable contributions like “War With Heaven” for Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings: The Album. His collaborations with brands such as YSL, Fender, Microsoft, and Fendi further emphasize his growing influence in both the music and fashion worlds.
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Feature photo by @angellachoe
