Scott's Song by Song #28, Envy of None: Stygian Wavz
Originally posted to Facebook on April 7, 2025
Link to post:
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Welcome to issue #28 of Scott’s Song By Song (#scottssongbysong).For more information about this series, click here: https://www.facebook.com/share/Gc2VkwHQWGLdeaDd/?mibextid=oFDknk
This week I will be reviewing the second full-length album by Alex Lifeson’s post-Rush band Envy of None (EON) titled “Stygian Wavs” (aka stij(ē)ən wāvz) released just a few days ago on March 28, 2025. The band rose out of some solo tracks that Alex produced in 2021 with collaborators Andy Curran (from the band Coney Hatch) on bass, and drummer David Quinton Steinburg. While working on the songs, Lifeson became aware that Curran was also working with a talented young singer named Maiah Wynne. Upon hearing the recordings, Lifeson expressed how much he liked them and Curran encouraged Alex to contribute if he wished, and one song contribution, became two, became three, etc. After deciding to create a band, Lifeson, Curran and Wynne, added guitarist/keyboardist/producer Alfio Annibalini to the official line-up. The self-titled first album was completed with drumming contributions from Steinberg and Tim Oxford and released in 2022. In 2023, an EP with remixes of two songs from the album and 3 new tracks was released called “That Was Then, This Is Now”. Two lead off singles for “Stygian Wavs” were released in 2024: “Not Dead Yet” and “Under the Stars” According to record label K-Scope’s website, Randy Cooke plays drums on “Not Dead Yet” while (Joe Walsh band member) Joe Vitale is the drummer on “Under the Stars”. I have not read anywhere as to why EON has no permanent drummer.
Without further ado, let's make some “Stygian Wavs”. As usual, this is a cold listen other than viewing a video for the title track before beginning my review.
Track 1 - Not Dead Yet
A short drum fill ushers in a funky groove. The title-hook begins right away in the vocals which layer Wynne’s voice with others. This song is a major ear-worm! Alex plays a solo with a bit of a 60’s surf guitar feel. A short song that is all about the groove and hooks, but both are mighty! I love it!
Track 2 - The Story
This one starts out with a straight rock beat with a low synth undertone. I get a new wave feel on this one. Very cool synth sound at 55 seconds leading to the chorus. Wynne has a unique and haunting voice, and she overdubs harmonies here. I can also detect a Steven Wilson influence on this one, mixed with the new wave vibes. Lifeson takes a short solo at around 3:25. Wynne finishes the song with the final line being a-cappella. Another strong, engaging track.
Track 3 - Under the Stars
This one has a tribal feel at the start, with Vitale’s drums and Curran’s bass being very prominent. There are many layers of sound here. A big modern rock sound takes over on the chorus. There are several effects on Wynne’s multi-layered vocal parts. Lifeson’s guitar kicks in at around 3 minutes in and becomes a full-fledged solo. Another wonderful track.
Track 4 - Thrill of the Chase
An upbeat drum groove kicks this one off. When the guitar and vocals come in, Alex’s rhythm guitar part reminds me of The Fixx’s “One Thing Leads to Another”. On the second verse, Alex plays a counter-melody that sounds like a variation of the “Day Tripper” riff from the Beatles. There are lots of sounds happening in the choruses. At 2:40, there is a break down section. I believe I hear some mu-tron bass as the musical coda takes shape. For a 3:40 song there is a lot happening and I really like it!
Track 5 - Handle With Care
This one begins with sound effects and a drum machine beat. Synth joins in then the vocals begin. Real drums join in time for the first verse. Wynne’s vocals are in harmony over the stereo image, creating a nice effect. There are lots of sounds being panned from side to side. It’s an interesting track, but not my favorite.
Track 6 - That Was Then
This appears to be a song from the 2023 EP that is being re-released here. Whether it is a different version or not, I’m not sure. Synth sequences begin this one, but by 20 seconds in, we have a nice groove happening. Many of the tracks here have a nice blend of older styles mixed with new techniques. This one has some wonderful soundscapes happening. Alex has a lead part around the 3 minute mark just slightly over the top of the many textures happening, which takes us to the end. This song had multiple layers of sounds. I’d be curious to find out how many tracks were involved. Good song.
Track 7 - Raindrops
For some reason, even though it doesn’t really sound like it, the song is giving me The Who’s “Eminence Front” vibes as it begins. It is a very cool groove that is making my head bob. Alex is making good use of a vibrato effect in the rhythm guitar parts. The vocals are nicely layered. Cool drumming in a Stewart Copland manner near the end. Another cool track.
Track 8 - New Trip
The song fades in with hand-clap type sounds joining in. At first, it all seems very techno, but just before the 30 second mark, everything changes and it gets a country-rock or folk-rock kind of vibe happening. A new trip indeed with clean jangly guitars; even a slide part. However, when Wynne’s vocals begin, it gets airy. The drumbeat and vocals stayed constant around 1:30-1:50, but other instruments were fading out while different ones faded in. There is an acoustic guitar solo around the 2 minute point. The same fade-in and out thing happened again following the guitar break. There are some big drum fills near the ending. This track is definitely intriguing, but I am not quite sure how I feel about it yet. Might take a few more listens to get a handle on it.
Track 9 - Clouds
A drum machine and synth played the first measure then other instruments joined. The underlying riff reminds me of “Children of the Damned” by Iron Maiden, but with a VERY different vibe indeed. I like when the music opens up more at just after one minute. I’m digging this one! Heavier guitar enters at 3 minutes, really grabbing my attention. Alex is rocking hard, for a moment, then it backs off, they could have extended this one a bit and I would have been very glad for it! It was going from good to great then they put the brakes on too soon! Still a strong track though.
Track 10 - The End
But it isn’t the end, it’s the penultimate. A low pitched riff with a snap on the back beat opens it up. The groove gets more solid as Wynne begins to sing. I like the harmonies on the chorus and there is a hammered dulcimer or similar instrument in the mix that is breaking through to my ears. Once again, the textures are amazing. There is a beautiful bridge as we approach the 3 minute mark. Nice track.
Track 11 - Stygian Waves
Yes, in the song it’s spelled “Waves” but the album spells it “Wavz”. This is the one I’ve heard once before. This has an underlying groove and synth sounds, along with Wynne’s ethereal vocals. She doesn't sing lyrics on this one, using her voice as an instrument, making this effectively an instrumental. There is a very cool middle eastern vibe on this one. As has been true about the album as a whole, there are many layers of sound.
OVERALL IMPRESSIONS:
Since the first EON album came out in 2022, most journalists and reviewers have liked making the point that it is a very different band from Rush and it isn’t prog. And I certainly agree that it is a different sound from Rush. I’m a bit more on the fence about the second point. It definitely isn't full of odd-meter time changes and extended suites. All of the songs fall somewhere between 3-5 minutes. That said, if it isn’t prog as such, it is certainly prog-adjacent, because there are a lot of very interesting and unique textures on this album. In many ways it is “progressive” in the true sense of the word, in that it is trying some new things and creating beautifully crafted rock music. This isn’t the typical top 40 radio fare. The layers and textures are AMAZING on this album. Surely, it is at least prog’s “cousin” genre, art rock. I listened on a fairly good set of speakers; I’d bet it’s even better in headphones. I am glad that Alex is creating music that is making him happy. It was hard on the fans when Neil died, but I couldn't begin to imagine how Geddy and Alex felt, so it is good to see him putting out quality music. I like some tracks better than others, but there isn’t a bad one in the batch. I’ll give it a 4.25 out of 5 stars.
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Links for Listening:
YouTube Link.(This playlist has the full album plus other EON videos)
Apple Music Link:
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