STONE - ‘punkadonk2’ review
STONE
Liverpudlian band STONE’s new EP punkadonk2 has a pop-punk feel to it with muted guitars and interesting, complex drums. The band explore ideas of toxic masculinity and uplift a new, progressive concept of male togetherness and support.
The EP begins with the track “If You Wanna”, which introduces the theme of personal growth. The band says such growth is only achieved if there is a desire for it – “if you wanna change your life, if you wanna climb so high… only if you wanna”. There is a prominent sense of optimism to these lines, with the repeated title “if you wanna” elongated in the vocals. This is emphasised in the drop of the backing track in the bridge, leaving the lyrics “only if you wanna” to stand out, adding to the motivating atmosphere.
There is a change of pace in the second track “Compulsive”, which starts in a more sinister minor key. The two guitar parts battle for attention, one with louder, more staccato notes and the other with more constant, sliding tones. This mirrors the battle of emotions that the lyrics represent – sadness, anger and an exasperation for feeling such things; “like glue to me they stick, urgh!”.
There is an abundance of spoken lines throughout the EP, beginning in the third track “Am I Even A Man”. The vocals are distorted, as if played through a radio or loudspeaker, giving the image of an individual leading a movement and talking through a megaphone. The lyrics reflect this feeling of bringing people together and inciting change – “aboard the ship, set sail”. There is a criticism of the past and the experiences many young men go through; “as a kid, I used to ask why, “hold yourself, bud, don’t you cry”, and in contrast, “rest your head on my shoulder, let’s breathe hope and joy for the future”. With this, the band encourages a healthier view of masculinity – one that allows men to show affection to each other and be emotional individuals without fear.
The spoken vocals continue in “I Gotta Feeling”, which describes the life of the average British person and the fears that come along with it, in a way that is reminiscent of Blur’s Parklife. This track stands out to me due to its vivid painting of the image of British nightlife, and its recreation of typical conversations that occur within those circumstances; “don’t you know that’s John Roy? The hardest man in the convoy”. The band criticise those who choose to remain in a culture of aggression and fighting for masculinity, with lines such as “four pints in and hurling abuse”, and “trust you ain’t going places, just lost all your dough at the races”. The ‘ooh’s in the backing vocals also give a sense of uneasiness, acting as a warning as the band show that they speak from experience with the lyric “I was just like them in a gang of toxic men”. The track is embellished with a break near the end, featuring a pairing of smooth drums and a funky synth solo.
The last two tracks, “Left Right Forward” and “I’m Still Waiting” feature unique explorations of repetition, such as the chorus in Left Right Forward which is attention-grabbing and certainly suited for a party atmosphere. I’m Still Waiting displays powerful attitude with the repetition of the lines “give me a minute, just a minute, one more minute please”, and “give us a day, just a day, one more day now”. This provides a suited end to punkadonk2, leaving a lasting impression of ideas of challenging the norm and showing where problems still lie in British society. STONE provide an interesting and new perspective on the male experience today, and how to deal with struggles concerning the evolution from a community shrouded by toxic masculinity.
punkadonk2 from STONE is out now via Polydor and available on all good streaming platforms. Catch STONE on their UK tour next February/March.