Mark Stewart The Fateful Symmetry
Mark Stewart's The Fateful Symmetry arrives as a quietly surprising final record, one that finds the vocalist revealing a sweeter, more accessible side without abandoning his confrontational instincts. Uncut's Piers Martin argues the collection contains some of the best songs of Stewart's late period, and the album's 70/100 consensus score across one professional review positions it as a warmly regarded, if not universally lauded, capstone to his career.
Critics consistently point to standout tracks such as “Neon Girl” and “This Is The Rain” as moments where Stewart croons with a Nick Cave-like intimacy, turning jagged themes into unexpectedly arresting melodies. Other highlights mentioned in reviews include “Memory Of You”, the doom-step tension of “Crypto Religion”, and the inventive rework “Everybody's Got To Learn Sometime - Bébe Durmiendo Cumbia Bootleg”, which together underscore the record's blend of tenderness and edge. The collection's contrasts - spare balladry versus abrasive beats - are presented as deliberate choices that broaden Stewart's reach rather than dilute his voice.
While the critical sample is small, the consensus suggests The Fateful Symmetry is an approachable, emotionally generous final statement that rewards repeated listening and reframes familiar strengths in new light. The paragraphs below expand on how these standout songs and stylistic tensions shape the album's place in Stewart's catalogue.
Critics' Top Tracks
The standout songs that made critics take notice
This Is The Rain
1 mention
"He sounds even more exposed on “This Is The Rain”, a bruised piano ballad produced with his Pop Group bandmate Gareth Sager"— Uncut
Neon Girl
1 mention
"On Youth’s “Neon Girl”, which features The Raincoats’ Gina Birch and descends into boozy schlager"— Uncut
Everybody's Got To Learn Sometime - Bébe Durmiendo Cumbia Bootleg
1 mention
"it’s fitting that Stewart comes full circle on The Fateful Symmetry with an endearing cumbia-style dub, mixed by Adrian Sherwood, of “Everybody’s Got To Learn Sometime”"— Uncut
He sounds even more exposed on “This Is The Rain”, a bruised piano ballad produced with his Pop Group bandmate Gareth Sager
Track Ratings
How critics rated each track, relative to this album (0-100). Only tracks that made critics feel something are rated.
Memory Of You
Neon Girl
This Is The Rain
Everybody's Got To Learn Sometime - Bébe Durmiendo Cumbia Bootleg
Stable Song
Twilight's Child
Crypto Religion
Blank Town
A Long Road
What Critics Are Saying
Deep insights from 2 critics who reviewed this album
Critic's Take
Piers Martin writes with wry affection that Mark Stewart’s final record, The Fateful Symmetry, contains the best songs of his late period, particularly “Neon Girl” and “This Is The Rain”, which reveal a sweet, accessible side to his confrontational art. He notes how Stewart croons through “Neon Girl” and “This Is The Rain” in a manner likened to modern-day Nick Cave, making the album the most approachable of his career while retaining provocative edges. The opener “Memory Of You” and the doom-step of “Crypto Religion” are cited as striking contrasts that still underscore Stewart’s generosity and curiosity. Overall, Martin frames the record as a love letter to life, full of arrestingly beautiful songs that broaden Stewart’s reach without betraying his spirit.
Key Points
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The best song is emotionally resonant and accessible, exemplified by “This Is The Rain” and “Neon Girl” showing Stewart crooning vulnerably.
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The album’s core strengths are its warmth, accessibility, and a blend of chanson, dub and post-punk that still allows Stewart to provoke.
