Photo Credit: Claudia Legge

Based in Liverpool, UK, STONE have released their debut album, ‘Fear Life For A Lifetime‘. With two EPs and a vast range of singles under their belt already, it comes as no surprise that this album is highly anticipated, with the band being marked as one to watch by many.

With clear inspiration from the likes of The Streets and Fontaines D.C., the spoken accent-heavy titular track introduces the album, in which we hear the raw emotion from lead vocalist, Fin Power, highlighting the reality of growing up in a generation that “don’t know what life is“.  Alongside the role of introducing the listeners to the band’s debut album, the titular track ‘Fear Life For A Lifetime‘ boasts themes of anxiety, fear, and love, which is just a taster of what is to come in the remainder of the track list.

The Liverpudlians opted for three lead singles for the promotional lead-up to their debut album: ‘My Thoughts Go‘, ‘Save Me‘, and ‘Queen‘. Although the chorus may not seem as lyrical wizardry to many in the first single from this album, ‘My Thoughts Go‘, the lack of ‘words’ could be interpreted as the inability to think straight with anxiety and fear of youth culture. Boasting a catchy and punk heavy chorus, paired with the rawness and realness presented throughout the bridge, ‘Save Me’ is bound to be a crowd favourite live – the mosh pits are already starting to form. ‘Queen‘ is an emotional love song with a hidden twist, delving into the anxious truths that one may face when falling in love. Coming from Power’s first-hand experience, the powerful lyrics “I don’t love myself; I love the way you look at me” highlight the struggle of how you can fall so in-love that you eventually begin to “doubt yourself”, and don’t feel worthy of such feelings. With all three tracks touching on anxiety, love, fear, and youth culture, they are a perfect trio to promote the album.

Perhaps it is just a happy accident, or maybe a clever play on words in the track ‘Roses’, with the subtle nod towards The Stone Roses, the pioneers of brit-rock. ‘Say It Out Loud‘ exercises a softer mix of vocals, contrary to the track’s title, with a heavy influence from Pixies presenting itself. Old-school Kasabian influence is especially evident in ‘Never Gonna Die‘ (featuring shortstraw) with the heavy bass and power chords. Sounds of the 90s come through strong in all three singles, alongside many others on the quartet’s debut album.

For a debut album, STONE have absolutely nailed this one on the head. Those who enjoy listening to the likes of The Streets, The Reytons, Pixies, and Fontaines D.C. will thoroughly enjoy this album, and they are definitely a band to watch out for. Overall, ‘Fear Life For A Lifetime‘ is a sensationally strong debut album for the Liverpool quartet, proving that they have a great future ahead of them.