Standing on a cliff’s edge, possibility perfumes the air. Pressing play we take the leap of faith into the unknown, plummeting fifty feet into the wild ocean of emotion. No sense of direction, the surface of the world we once knew without this debut is nothing but a distant memory. Now we are forever drowning in the sound of Stone.
The introduction track ‘Fear Life For A Lifetime’ takes a hold of you, giving them your undivided attention. Opening both arms to the listener, a string of orchestral instruments drift into a symphony of tranquillity. It is the sound of pure acceptance. Engaging with the audience, Power’s voice recites a love letter to the fans. This choppy poem is dedicated to those on the other end of the headphone wires. This one’s for us. The calm before the storm.
Stone, who’s creative minds are made up of Sarah Surrange (bass), Alex Smith (drums), Fin Power (vocals) and Elliot Gill (guitar) released their debut Fear Life For A Lifetime on 12th July. The album has been slowly drip fed to the public, leaving fans craving more. Starting with the taste of ‘My Thoughts Go’, it was shortly followed by ‘Save Me’ and ‘Queen’. If these singles were the lightning this album is most definitely the thunder. Striking the world, all power is cut off. Stone is in full focus.
Fear Life For A Lifetime explores falling in love and the struggles of addition. Pushing boundaries, this group of talented young musicians use their art to challenge the comforts of society. Peeling back the layers of genius, this album is rooted in honesty. Laying the cards down for all to see, its vulnerable nature creates an unavoidable relatability that’s enough to strike you straight in the heart.
Picking up the pace, the distinctive riff of ‘My Thoughts Go’ intercepts the peace. The storm had begun. Simple yet catchy, its melody tears through your brain. Scenes of intoxicated confessions and a disjointed mind take centre stage. “I feel it under my skin, mistakes will burden me again”, nodding to the emotions that flood in post-drunken dazes. The song explores the ups and downs that come with the cocktail that is romance and alcohol.
Jam-packed with energy this quartet doesn’t stop, each note intertwining through the record they prepare for the incoming of ‘Queen’. The nostalgic eighties flare of a synthesiser trickles between each verse of the track. Hanging up the worn in leather feel of grunge, the group trades in for an indie anthem. Too diverse to be put into a box, Stone have concocted their sound into a melting pot of rock, indie, grunge and scouse punk. Pick your poison. Power resonates with his experience of a previous relationship and the words that were said to him, “I don’t love myself, I love the way you look at me”. The feeling of love has the ability to cocoon you into a spiral of doubt, relying on the beholder to provide you with reassurance. Love has the power to mirror hatred within ones self.
Bleeding though to the next song they slow it down with ‘Roses’. Completed with Gill’s electric strums and Power’s vocals swaying from east to west like a pendulum, ‘Roses’ sends you into a dream like state, extracting summer and weaving it into the sound of strings. Before the dust has a chance to settle it is swept back into the atmosphere with ‘Train’. With the unchained motion of Smith’s drums and jagged guitars, its frantic manner capsulates the feeling of the entrapment in the rat race. Life in the fast lane we “all aboard the cabin, we go like cattle”. Criticising the ideas of a capitalist society, the four circle back to the wise words of the first track, “keeping it casual is a lifestyle only a few can hack”. Using their talent to strive for change, its no mystery as to why they have such a broad fanbase. They reinforce solidarity. Music: the great communicator.
Shifting into a higher gear, ‘Save Me’ revs like a petrol pumped engine. If there’s one think about this band, they know how to kick off a tune. Fuelled with dopamine and adrenaline, hip shaking drums and wavering basslines create a supersonic wall of sound. ‘Never Gonna Die’ makes its debut as Surrange takes the pedestal. Her lines exceeding the limits through each song, she never fails to impress. Another political number, Stone has never been a stranger to call out injustice. “Viva Liberation” graffitied across the system, Rebellion is splashed onto the canvas. Power is J.B Priestley with tattoos and torment.
The essence of each members skills have been distilled throughout all eleven tracks, carving their legacies along the way. Their unapologetic attitudes and individuality is what makes this band so exciting. They are “a roller coaster impossible to tame”. Transitioning between singing to reciting poetry resembles a similarity to Fontaines D.C. yet still holds the uniqueness that is Stone. Filled with anguish, love, anxiety, struggle, rebellion, acceptance and everything in between this is music for the masses. Dancing with passion in your feet to tear filled eyes of regret, this album embodies what it means to be human.
Leaning into the final track, the silhouette of ‘Save Yourself’ comes to light. It’s a bittersweet ballad, perfectly bringing Fear Life For A Lifetime into full circle. Acoustic in arms, its beautiful rawness is guaranteed to paste goosebumps over your skin.
With this record in hand, the cliff is no more. I have the feeling the world will never emerge from Stone.
Stone: Fear Life For A Lifetime: Out 12th July 2024 (Polydor Records)
