Liverpool rockers STONE released their debut album earlier this month via Polydor Records, catching lots of attention on social media with their take on the modern world – yes, at times political, but also dealing with subjects some bands wouldn’t dare.
STONE, made up of vocalist Fin Power, guitarist Elliot Gill, bassist Sarah Surrage and drummer Alex Smith, have been making music together since 2019. Their early 2024 UK tour was a huge success, with many of the dates selling out – the show that we attended at Glasgow’s Garage went off big time, with their high energy performance driving the crowd wild for a full hour.
The title track Fear Life For A Lifetime is a great opener, with even better opening lyrics during the one-minute intro: “This one is for the four pint street fighters/Hipsters with shit lighters/Kids on their Instagram who don’t know what life is.” Power never holds back with his words and is never likely to either! Next up is My Thoughts Go, released earlier in the year, which has a memorable chorus that sticks in your head, while Queen has a very catchy guitar riff that takes you back to the 1990s Manchester scene.
Fear Life For A Lifetime certainly gets off to a high energy start and this continues with Roses, a track which has everything you could possibly want from a song: great lyrics; thrashing guitars; and dreamy synths. It showcases the diverse music styles that STONE are capable of and is one of the highlights on the eleven track album. Power excels on next song Train, taking us on a personal experience as Gill provides the backing vocals as well as the excellent guitar work. A few of the tracks on this album sound almost like Fontaines D.C. – not a bad comparison though.
Say It Out Loud has a nice mellow acoustic opening and is generally a more laid back track, as STONE once again show off their diverse range. The keyboards are a standout on this one. The energy goes up a few notches for the punky Save Me, as Power shouts out the lyrics: “I want high priced nicotine/Cocaine wannabe/Poured in dopamine/I love it too much.” Another one of the standout tracks. Never Gonna Die features the one collaboration on the album, as Finn shares vocals with the talented punk poet Erin West, a.k.a shortstraw., great effort here.
As we move towards the end of the album Sold My Soul has great energy, while Hotel slows it down again. The chorus is very infectious with great vocals and guitars working in harmony – the song ends with very high energy though. Last track Save Yourself seems to look inwards, as Power tackles the subject of mental health. We must say it’s a perfect song to end the LP, which its clever lyrics: “Social media is your life like drugs in your veins/And every time I press post, I can’t help but cringe/Grab my arm tight double tap addiction syringe”. STONE embark on another tour towards the end of the year and it’s not to be missed.
9/10
Standout Tracks: My Thoughts Go, Queen, Save Me, Hotel
For Fans Of: Fontaines D.C., Overpass, Wunderhorse
Written by: Alan Brown
