Envy of None might reject the label of a supergroup, but few bands can claim a lineup like theirs. With Rush's Alex Lifeson, one of rock’s most inventive guitarists, at the helm, alongside Coney Hatch’s Andy Curran on bass and programming, and producer Alfio Annibalini shaping the sound with keyboards, the band already carries serious weight. Yet it’s their youngest member, singer-songwriter Maiah Wynne, who brings a new dimension to the music, spinning it in unexpected and thrilling directions. Their 2022 self-titled debut showcased a fusion of contemporary alt-rock with sharp production and genre-defying creativity. Now, with their sophomore effort Stygian Waves, Envy of None sound more confident than ever, delivering an album that pushes their musical boundaries even further.

“The title goes back to the Roman poet Ovid,” explains Lifeson. “He wrote about ‘stygian waves’ - a kind of turbulence at the gates of hell. That felt fitting at times.” But despite the ominous reference, Stygian Waves is a testament to growth, both musically and personally. “There’s been a lot of evolution, especially for Maiah. She’s really blossomed,” Lifeson adds. “For me, Envy of None has been a liberating experience. It’s no longer about being ‘that guy from Rush.’ In this band, I’m just another musician making music with people I admire.”

That sense of creative freedom pulses through Stygian Waves, an 11-track journey packed with dynamic shifts and unexpected twists. The opener, “Not Dead Yet,” is a shape-shifting piece that moves between moody textures, funk-inflected grooves, and even moments reminiscent of a James Bond score. Curran provided the initial lyrical spark, but it was Wynne who shaped it into something deeply personal. “Even though I’m 28, I feel that pressure of time moving quickly,” she says. “Women in music face this expectation of eternal youth. The industry tells us that aging means fading away, and I resent that. This song became my response to it.”

The album’s third track, “Under the Stars,” is a standout, described by the band as one of the most powerful ballads they’ve ever created. It was a song they labored over, knowing they had to get it just right. “We chose to do live drums for this album, and for this track, they came in early,” says Annibalini. “From the moment Alex laid down his solo, we knew we had something special.”

“Thrill of the Chase” explodes with an infectious funk energy, while “Raindrop” and “Clouds” channel an ’80s aesthetic that wasn’t as pronounced on their debut. “New Trip” is one of Lifeson’s personal favorites. “I don’t know if I’ve ever heard anything quite like it,” he admits. “It has this soft, glowing warmth that washes over you. The first time I heard Maiah’s rough vocal take, I was blown away. We all talk about how she’s evolved, but this song? It’s on the edge of genius.”

The title track closes the album with cinematic ambition, evoking the sweeping scope of films like Dune and Interstellar. “I was inspired after traveling in India, and I’ve always wanted to be the blue alien from The Fifth Element,” Wynne laughs. “This track was a mix of those influences. We trusted each other enough to take risks we wouldn’t have on the first album.”