Keane Baldwin – In Spite of Everything: A Beautifully Honest Debut EP

Every now and then, an artist comes along who doesn’t just write music — they share pieces of themselves. Keane Baldwin’s debut EP, In Spite of Everything, is one of those rare, tender offerings that feels more like reading someone’s journal than just streaming new tunes.

Across five raw, piano-led tracks, Baldwin opens up about grief, self-doubt, perseverance, and love — but never in a way that feels heavy-handed or overly polished. Instead, this EP feels vulnerable in the best way: like he’s figuring it all out as he goes, and letting us listen in along the way.

First impressions

Keane taught himself piano at 18, which already blows my mind — and apparently within just three months, he was playing Elton John’s “I’m Still Standing” on stage. That kind of ambition and heart bleeds through every track on this EP. There’s an honesty here that doesn’t try to hide behind production tricks or flashy hooks. He’s telling his story exactly how it is.

1. 'In spite of everything'

   
   

The EP kicks off with the title track — and honestly, it sets the tone perfectly. Simple piano, soft vocals, and lyrics that hit you right in the chest. It’s about surviving — not in a dramatic, cinematic way — but in the quiet, personal sense. Getting up when you don’t want to. Breathing, despite everything. It’s gentle, but it lingers.

2. 'Atmospheric decline'

   
   

This one feels like a fog rolling in. Ambient and sparse, with a kind of weightless sadness to it. It sounds like those moments where you’re unsure of everything — your future, your direction, your place in the world. And instead of offering neat answers, Baldwin just sits in the uncertainty, which I really respect.

3. 'State of mind'

   
   

This track hit me hard. It’s probably the most emotionally intense one on the EP, and definitely my personal favourite. There’s this building sense of tension and release, like waves crashing in and pulling back. The lyrics dive deep into mental health — not in a cliché way, but in a “this-is-what-it-actually-feels-like” way. You can tell this one came straight from a lived experience.

4: 'My biggest fan'

Cue the tears. This one feels like a tribute — maybe to someone Keane lost, or someone who never stopped believing in him. The stripped-down piano and vocal approach makes it feel like a voice memo recorded at 2am. It’s so personal, it almost feels like you’re intruding. And that’s what makes it so powerful.

5. 'What's next to unexpect?'

   
   

The closer is like sunlight breaking through after a long storm. There’s a quiet hopefulness to it, but it still carries the emotional weight of everything that came before. It’s the sound of someone ready to take the next step — nervous, unsure, but hopeful. And by the time it ends, you’re rooting for him.

final thoughts

There’s something special happening here.

Keane Baldwin’s In Spite of Everything isn’t trying to be perfect — and that’s exactly why it works. It’s full of real emotions, late-night thoughts, and raw honesty. It feels like a conversation with a friend who finally opens up after holding it in for too long.

If you’re into artists like Ben Howard, Damien Rice, early Coldplay, or anyone who can gut you with just a piano and a voice — this one’s for you.

I can’t wait to see where Keane goes next, but for now, this EP is more than enough. It’s a quiet triumph.

Rating: 4.5/5 – Heartfelt, unfiltered, and totally worth your time.

Watch the interview here!