Although STONE have never been the type to ease off the accelerator, their debut album ‘Fear Life For A Lifetime’ sees the Scouse quartet (featuring frontman Fin Power, guitarist Elliot Gil, bassist Sarah Surrage and drummer Alex Smith) stray from their traditionally explosive approach to songwriting. Mixing lyrical vulnerability with heartfelt punk-inflected Britpop, the album includes some of STONE’s most sombre heavy hitters to date, going to show just how far the band have come from their persistently punchy ‘Punkadonk’ EPs (2022, 2023).
Having erupted onto the UK underground scene and generated a cult-like following of fellow lost youths over the past two years, ambient album opener and title track, ‘Fear Life For A Lifetime’ feels like a confident intro for the Liverpudlian band who clearly not only know who their music is for, but also how to encapsulate everyday drama of the modern age.
Produced in Vermont with Rich Costey (Sam Fender, HAIM, Biffy Clyro), the album modernises scuzzy nineties guitar music for 2024 through an assortment of punk, Britpop and refined electronica that is entirely addictive. While some of the lyrics are far from poetry – for example Fin sings “My thoughts go / Ah-ah-ah-ah / Doo-do-doo-do” in the hook of ‘My Thoughts Go’ – each and every song has a mighty chorus that demands to be sung, whether it be a cathartic or blistering incendiary one.
Yet, it’s tracks like ‘Say It Out Loud’, ‘Hotel’ and ‘Save Yourself’ that feel like the biggest step forward for STONE, even if they actually see the quartet take a step back from the intense drive that normally dominates their sound. The reserved musicality of these tracks’ heartfelt guitars and exquisite soundscapes prove that the band can access the full spectrum of human emotion while still connecting with the modern-day anxieties that have come to dominate their music.
‘Save Yourself’ also features some of STONE’s most vulnerable lyrics yet, giving a heart-breaking insight into what it’s like living as a young adult today and showing how powerful the aptly named Fin Power’s vocals can be: “Save yourself / I’m a lost cause / Get out of my life before I ruin yours.”
If there was ever any doubt about STONE’s future, it definitely doesn’t exist anymore. This is a band with the personality, attitude and ambition to back up their mouthy musicianship, and one that will likely continue to grow as their colossal debut album finds its symbiotic fanbase.
By Olivia Ross
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