Envy Of None Stygian Waves
Consensus is still forming across 4 professional reviews. Envy Of None's Stygian Waves lands as a quietly confident collection that marries dream pop atmosphere with veteran musicianship, and the critical consensus suggests it largely succeeds. Across four professional reviews the record earned an 80.75/100 consensus score, with critics repeatedly flagging Maiah Wynne's ether
The best song, exemplified by "Under The Stars", succeeds because of lush melodies and Maiah Wynne's dreamlike vocals.
The album's core strengths are atmosphere, patient songwriting, and Lifeson's subtle, expert guitar contributions.
Best for listeners looking for dream pop and atmosphere, starting with Clouds and Under The Stars.
Explore the full Chorus artist page, discography, and related genre paths.
See where this record sits inside the full critic-ranked discography.
Jump from this record into the broader critic-consensus lists for 2025.
Full consensus notes
Envy Of None's Stygian Waves lands as a quietly confident collection that marries dream pop atmosphere with veteran musicianship, and the critical consensus suggests it largely succeeds. Across four professional reviews the record earned an 80.75/100 consensus score, with critics repeatedly flagging Maiah Wynne's ethereal vocals and Alex Lifeson's tasteful guitar as the emotional centrepieces. Reviewers consistently point to the album's melodic clarity and cinematic lushness as reasons to call it a rewarding listen rather than a mere curiosity.
Critics agree that the best songs on Stygian Waves are led by “Under The Stars”, “Not Dead Yet” and the title track “Stygian Waves”. Multiple reviews praise “Under The Stars” as a standout ballad and “Not Dead Yet” for vocal showmanship, while the title track and widescreen moments showcase the record's pastoral imagery, darkness and foreboding. Commentators note a synthesis of prog and electronic textures, occasional funk inflections and 80s nostalgia that support rather than overshadow Wynne's performances; Lifeson's contributions are framed as augmenting the songs rather than dominating them.
While some critics mention a slow start, the prevailing view in professional reviews is favorable: the album rewards patience with immersive arrangements and stronger songwriting than many expected from what began as a side project. For readers asking whether Stygian Waves is worth listening to, the consensus score across four reviews and repeated praise for tracks like “Under The Stars” and “Not Dead Yet” make a persuasive case to explore the record further.
Critics' Top Tracks
The standout songs that made critics take notice
Clouds
1 mention
"Take “Clouds”, for example. A track towards the end, perhaps, but in many ways, it tells the story of Stygian Waves."— Maximum Volume Music
Under The Stars
4 mentions
"Tracks such as "Under the Stars" and "Handle With Care" showcase the band’s ability to craft lavish melodies"— Sputnikmusic
Not Dead Yet
4 mentions
"Opener “Not Dead Yet” is perhaps a knowing nod that there’s life in the old dog yet."— Maximum Volume Music
Tracks such as "Under the Stars" and "Handle With Care" showcase the band’s ability to craft lavish melodies
Track Ratings
How critics rated each track, relative to this album (0-100). Only tracks that made critics feel something are rated.
Stygian Waves
Under The Stars
Not Dead Yet
Get the next albums worth your time.
Critic-backed picks in one clean digest. No clutter.
What Critics Are Saying
Deep insights from 4 critics who reviewed this album
Critic's Take
Envy Of None's Stygian Waves redeems its slow start by leaning into dream pop atmosphere and strong songwriting. The reviewer, surprised by Alex Lifeson's turn, praises tracks like “Under The Stars” and “Not Dead Yet” for their lush melodies and Maiah Wynne's vocals, noting that Lifeson's guitar subtly augments rather than dominates. This is described as an album that rewards patience, where ambience and melody coalesce into the best tracks on Stygian Waves. The result is a convincing, immersive record that will keep listeners who come for Lifeson around for the songs themselves.
Key Points
-
The best song, exemplified by "Under The Stars", succeeds because of lush melodies and Maiah Wynne's dreamlike vocals.
-
The album's core strengths are atmosphere, patient songwriting, and Lifeson's subtle, expert guitar contributions.
Themes
Critic's Take
Envy Of None's Stygian Waves feels like an album you can dip into anywhere, and that makes its best tracks stand out all the more. The reviewer's ear is caught by “Under the Stars” and “Not Dead Yet” - Wynne's breathless delivery and the knowing opener mark them as the best songs on Stygian Waves. The tone remains admiring throughout, calling this a surprisingly beautiful and beguiling debut album.
Key Points
-
Maiah Wynne’s breathless delivery on “Under the Stars” makes it the album’s standout performance.
-
The album’s core strengths are lush, cinematic arrangements, strong keyboard and guitar work, and an overall beguiling, floaty atmosphere.
Themes
Critic's Take
Envy Of None sound most triumphant on Stygian Waves when Maiah’s ethereal voice takes centre stage, especially on “Not Dead Yet” and “Under The Stars”. The review revels in the album’s pastoral, retro-80s and experimental textures while celebrating Maiah’s blossoming performances, making “Not Dead Yet” the best track for vocal showmanship and “Under The Stars” the best ballad. Alex Lifeson’s guitar solos and the band’s flirtations with funk and synth-pop give several tracks real lift, so readers asking for the best songs on Stygian Waves should start with those two highlights.
Key Points
-
The best song is "Not Dead Yet" because it is a showpiece for Maiah’s intimate, ethereal delivery and strong band backing.
-
The album’s core strengths are Maiah’s vocals, Alex Lifeson’s guitar work, and the blend of 80s nostalgia with experimental and pastoral textures.
Themes
Cl
Critic's Take
Envy Of None's Stygian Waves finds its best moments in songs that balance gothic breathiness with muscular guitar work, notably “Not Dead Yet” and “Under The Stars”. The review points readers toward the album’s driving highs and brooding ballads as the best tracks on Stygian Waves, praising songwriting growth and stronger group identity. Overall the piece frames these songs as evidence that Envy Of None are more than a side-project and that the album’s darker, synth-inflected prog-pop is its chief appeal.
Key Points
-
Not Dead Yet is the best song because its driving, defiant energy and funkiness embody the album’s renewed purpose.
-
The album’s core strengths are Maiah Wynne’s sultry vocals, Lifeson’s tasteful solos, and stronger, more confident songwriting.