Album Review: STONE - 'Autonomy'
Many bands take time to find what they entered into the industry for: fun and freedom. What began as a hobby may lose its enjoyability once it becomes a full-time commitment, with the introduction of strict deadlines and outside involvement. With Liverpool alt act STONE, this is where they ended up coming to during the run of their debut record Fear Life For A Lifetime; an outstanding album but one they were always going to look to improve upon. In the following years, with big changes leading to bigger challenges, they would work towards a more independent and representative collection of hits. Enter Autonomy.
As the title is to be believed, this is a record that STONE have made with more of their own tastes and styles threaded in. Working to become stronger than before in what they love most. Their first single release for the record ‘NEVER AGAIN’ is a clear indication of the pressure of the music industry and pushing back for the sake of individuality and pride in one’s art. Frontman Fin Power builds up the song with comments on how his music was being taken from him and changed in favour of others, commenting, “My voice is no more” as a testament to how the personality can be taken out of music with practices of major labels. This feeling comes to a head as the short song builds up to a repetition of “Shut up”, filling the airwaves as the track comes to its end. It was just the beginning of the overall story for what the album stands for, how it came to be, and what it hopes to lead to in the future of STONE.
With the beating heart of Britpop and their working-class origins being the leading force, ‘MONEY (HOPE AIN’T GONE)’ is a point-of-view for the 99% who are just surviving day by day without all the gold and riches of the 1% ruling class. With a punchy chant-like chorus, the track sounds like an anthem for the protests on the streets, for the people who are fighting for an improvement of life, to escape poverty and debt. With lines such as, “A change, we want it / I feel it’s coming” and, “The trauma, the panic / The kids, so manic”, it is a story that millions can relate to in their home of the United Kingdom and even beyond around the world. It’s rough and it’s honest, but it’s presented in the most fitting style it can: loud, angry, and ready to fight back at any given moment. The song that if someone wanted to sum up the record, and even sum up what STONE are as a music act, this is the best example of their collective character.
British alternative music is one of the best sub-genres to tell personal stories and vent personal emotions with, and STONE are feeling free once again to do this how they want to do this. Since debuting back in 2020, just as the world was about to turn upside-down and their dream was paused before they even got to play it out, STONE have always embraced being who they are and speaking of their own experiences - the great and the gritty - and that is something they are reclaiming.
Autonomy is likely to be the most straight-to-the-point record title of the year, as if there is one word to sum up this 13-track adventure, it is “autonomy”. It’s all about Power and his band finding what made them fall in love with music to start with, and what made them invest their time, money and energy into making a success of this project. STONE have reached a new high with Autonomy and have managed to exceed all expectations built up for their sophomore selection from Fear Life For A Lifetime. No strings attached, no blocks, no holding back; just pure, plain, raw autonomy.
Words by Jo Cosgrove
