“Heartbreak in High Definition: Keogea’s ‘BROKEN PROMISES’ Unfiltered”

Keogea releases "BROKEN PROMISES," an intense Alternative Hip-Hop song about heartbreak that heavily relies on its melody to convey its meaning. Keogea is part of a new wave of musicians coming out of New York City and uses a lot of emotion in the track — there's an intimate feel but at the same time has an expansive feeling. The song was recorded in NYC and initially engineered by Moustafax2, who has worked with such artists as Kanye West and Tory Lanez. You can tell that the song has been produced well; however, it has not lost its vibe. The sounds of the song are clear yet atmospheric so you hear every line perfectly. Although the lines are heard perfectly, they all blend together beautifully while remaining interesting.

The essence of "BROKEN PROMISES" is vulnerability. You can hear influences from the melodic reflection-inspired sound of Juice WRLD; however, Keogea takes those melodies and implements soulful temps with an alternative vibe. He laid down guitar rhythms that have a very moody vibe and added percussion that stirs towards a Trap sound. The end sound is a mixture of reflection but does not reflect defeated emotions; rather, they emote pain but also purpose. The lyrical content of the song expresses how Keogea feels after going through a breakup/failed "situationship" by looking into regrets, lost opportunities, and personal accountability. By looking inwardly and looking at his actions, Keogea is able to hold himself accountable for his own mistakes and as a result, this self-esteem gives weight to the song. The song goes beyond heartbreak and illustrates the lessons that heartbreak teaches.

What sets BROKEN PROMISES apart from similar music is its creating a balance between authenticity and polished production. It feels like the lyrics are written from someone who has actually lived through the experience, not just acting the part, and that gives the song a very real quality compared to most other songs on the radio today. The underground production style and the confessional lyrics are two great elements that combine to create a something that feels very grounded in actual life, while also being beautiful enough to be commercially viable. The single was released on Valentine’s Day — a day that is typically associated with romantic love; however, the song reacts to the idea of love as a fantasy by presenting a more sobering version of life after you’ve experienced it. For Keogea, I think BROKEN PROMISES represents his defining moment in Alternative Hip-Hop as it provides him with an opportunity to present himself with honesty and create space to reflect upon how much he’s grown creatively since beginning his journey as an artist.