Envy of None certainly confounded expectations when their self-titled debut was released in April last year, with most expecting a hard-rocking mash-up between Rush and Coney Hatch, given that Alex Lifeson and Andy Curran were part of the quartet. Joined by the other two members, Alfio Alannbalni and Maiah Wynne, the end product revealed was something much different and equally as intriguing as anyone could have imagined.
Envy Of None – That Was Then, This Is Now (Kscope)
Release Date: 9 June 2023
Words: Paul Monkhouse
Glistening with an ethereal pop and electronica quality, the debut album was a voyage into the unknown, these four disparate musicians making something modern yet achingly timeless. It swooped and beguiled, a siren call that demanded you move your feet, finding its way into the hearts of both old and new fans.
Carrying on that wave, this five-track EP brings together remixes of two songs from the debut along with three new songs and brings the band’s creativity to light.
The beautiful, lush pop of Lethe River opens, Lifeson’s dancing guitar pattern and subdued power chords lifting whilst Wynne’s vocals beguile and bewitch. Equally good, You’ll Be Sorry hypnotises with a gossamer-light and ethereal atmosphere set to calm even the most fevered minds before the remix of Dog’s Life shimmers in the heat of its magnetically punchy beat.
Things calm again for Dumb (Der Dummkopf Remix) as it lifts and transport in an electronic haze, and the EP closes with That Was Then, a slice of soaring pop that mixes sharp-witted Sarah McLaughlin-like vocals with guitarwork not a million miles removed from the touches of David Gilmour, the whole with echoes of the invention of Kate Bush.
A subtle mix of originality and touches of their influences, Envy Of None are prime painters of aural soundscapes, each new release a thrilling journey into the unknown as they weave elements together into a magical carpet ride that thrills as much as it surprises.
Given the people involved, this was going to be good, but it never had the automatic right to be as outstanding as it is. Truly sublime and a treat for hearts, minds and ears.
To pre-order, visit https://envyofnone.lnk.to/TWTTIN.
