After releasing three albums with that Austin-based group, Keyes relocated from Texas to New York City in search of new environs and a change of pace. Within a year's time, he had amassed a wealth of new material that had more in common with Bloc Party and Action Action than the aggressive sounds of Recover. Young Love was born, and a record deal with Island Def Jam surfaced before the end of 2005.

With help from a handful of backing musicians, Keyes began testing his new music in Lower East Side nightspots during the summer of 2006. Meanwhile, shows alongside Head Automatica allowed him to hone his rhythmic, dancefloor-bound material in front of compatible audiences. "Discotech," an advance single from Young Love's debut album, was released that October, and the full-length Too Young to Fight It followed in January 2007. Keyes returned two years later with another release, One of Us, having helmed the majority of the instrumental duties himself. ~ Andrew Leahey