| Alex Lifeson is no stranger to the concept of evolution. As a founding member of Rush, he’s been able to explore more musical ground than just about any other guitar player out there – taking rock to new progressive heights throughout the decades and always in the most wildly inventive of ways. His influence can be heard on countless bands around the world, from indie shoegaze and math rock to heavy metal and beyond. Over the last few years Lifeson has been focusing on a new project that, no matter how well-acquainted you are with his discography, will undoubtedly shatter all seeds of expectation and blow the mind. That project is Envy Of None. |
| The new band, also featuring Coney Hatch founder/bassist Andy Curran, accomplished producer and engineer Alfio Annibalini and singer-songwriter Maiah Wynne, will be releasing their self-titled debut album on April 8th via Kscope. Its 11 tracks – which ricochet between various shades of alternative, experimental and synth rock – throw surprises at every turn, twisting dark melodies against contemporary pop hooks. Lifeson himself is proudly aware of how little of it crosses over with the band that made him famous. |
| However, it was only when singer Maiah Wynne became involved that this truly started to feel like a band destined to go somewhere. Her haunting melodies and soul-baring intensity is – by the admission of her own bandmates – what truly brought this music to life. All things considered; she is a star in the making… “I sent over an early version of the song Shadow,” explains Andy Curran. “When I played what she’d done back to the others they were like, ‘Who is this crazy talented person?!’” |
| The album’s first single, Liar, is out now and can be heard below. Its industrial beats, driving fuzz bass and atmospheric guitars concoct a seductive swirl indeed – thrilling in ways closer to the darker art rock of Depeche Mode, Nine Inch Nails and A Perfect Circle than anything these musicians have been known for prior |
| “Maiah became my muse,” continues Alex Lifeson. “She was able to bring this whole new ethereal thing through her sense of melody on tracks like Liar and Look Inside. After hearing her vocals on Never Said I Love You, I felt so excited. I’ve never had that kind of inspiration working with another musician. When we say she’s special, it’s because she’s really f–king special!” |
| “One of my favorite things about these songs is the intimacy of them,” reveals Maiah Wynne. “It makes them feel different and more honest. There are some heavier songs too, like Enemy, and then tracks like Kabul Blues, that sound completely different to anything else.” |
| The album closer, Western Sunset, which was penned by Alex Lifeson in tribute to his dear friend Neil Peart. It’s a highly emotive piece of music to honor a man deeply missed by the rock community at large, and even more so by those who were lucky enough to know him. “I visited Neil when he was ill,” says Alex Lifeson. “I was on his balcony watching the sunset and found inspiration. There’s a finality about a sunset that kinda stayed with me throughout the whole process. It had meaning. It was the perfect mood to decompress after all these different textures… a nice way to close the book.” It’s a book you’ll almost certainly want to be reading. |
| Envy Of None track listing: 1. Never Said I Love You [04:06] 2. Shadow [03:21] 3. Look Inside [04:44] 4. Liar [03:13] 5. Spy House [02:23] 6. Dog`s Life [04:36] 7. Kabul Blues [03:12] 8. Old Strings [05:15] 9. Dumb [04:19] 10. Enemy[04:16] 11. Western Sunset [02:25] |
| The album will be released on the following formats and is available to pre-order here. |
| Ltd Edition deluxe version – presented in a gatefold sleeve with a blue coloured vinyl LP, 2 CDs including a 5 track bonus disc, 28 page Booklet with exclusive content CD – includes a 16 page poster booklet LP – on black vinyl / baby blue coloured vinyl (North America exclusive) / white colored vinyl Digital |
| Envy Of None are: Alf Annibalini – Guitar, Keyboards, Programming Andy Curran – Bass Guitar, Synthesized Bass, Programming, Guitar, Background Vocals, Stylophone Alex Lifeson- Guitar, Mandola, Banjo, Programming Maiah Wynne – Lead Vocals, Background Vocals, Keyboards |
8 Responses
Wow, dark and haunting. I never would have expected this from him , I really like it
Love it as well
Sounds good, and to me thankfully not another rock song in the vein of Rush.
Thank you Dana for posting as I have been wanting to hear ever since I heard Lifeson discuss this project with Eddie Trunk.
I know, I know, probably some Rush fans and other appreciators of hard rock may not like this, but I myself have always liked ethereal & gothic soundscapes. Some of the stuff I listen or have listened to most likely would not be on anyone here’s playlist, but I could be wrong as it seems there’s a wide variety of taste here.
Of course I want to hear the rest as Lifeson is one of my favorite guitar players.
As much as I loved Rush and Alex Lifeson, this is a hard pass for me. Not for me folks.
This is a damn cool song! Just based on this song, I look forward to hearing the entire album.
Not sure how the die-hards will feel, but I’m glad to hear that Lifeson has gone in a decidedly non-Rush direction.
Eh, I’m in no Rush to hear anymore Envy Of None… I’m done.
I agree, Doug,
I never liked this genre of music, no matter who is doing it, but as I always “say,” to each their own.
Agreed, absolutely. I expected more from Lifeson, this is a “Far Cry” from Rush, too far. Well, for me it is.