Far From Saints – Far From Saints

Stereophonics have been at the forefront of the UK indie scene since the late 1990s, with 26 top-40 hits and eight number-one albums. It may come as a surprise, then, that frontman Kelly Jones has started a collaborative side project, Far From Saints, with Dwight A Baker and Patricia Lynn of The Wind and The Wave. The group’s sound is a blend of Americana, folk and rock, suiting Lynn and Jones’s vocals, with soaring harmonies and moments spotlighting both across their self-titled record. They have been supporting Paul Weller, Hozier and Kings of Leon on tour and will be performing imminently at Glastonbury.

Screaming Hallelujah is an epic way to open, with Jones and Lynn instantly in perfect sync and the melange of genres fitting like a glove, Jones’ gravelly vocals clearly befitting the shift in genre from indie to something more earthy.

Faded Black Tattoo has a darker, moody edge to it, still built around the dual lead vocals. Take It Through the Night sees Jones take more of a back seat, with Lynn front and centre. It has a classic rock edge to it and is sure to go down a treat with a festival crowd stomping along.

On Gonna Find What’s Killing Me, Jones then takes centre stage for a stripped-back, acoustic-led track that comes fully alive when the pair join to make something hauntingly beautiful. As is often the case across this LP, it’s when the duo come together that they take what is already impressive and make it into something irresistible. On We Won’t Get Out Live, the two trade verses before their luscious harmonies kick in, intertwined with some beautiful guitar work that never steals the moment from the vocalists.

The balance between its heavier elements and more restrained moments shows an impressive range and depth. The Ride is one of the more out-and-out rock numbers and perhaps the closest to Stereophonics’ sound but still retains an Americana vibe. Let the Light Shine Over You is one of the most stunning tracks on the record, with some gorgeous strings accompanying Jones and Lynn and adding another element to an already vast soundscape.

Far From Saints is an ambitious, sprawling debut that shows an unseen side of Jones as both a lyricist and vocalist. His and Lynn’s vocals create some truly extraordinary harmonies that the record is built around but aren’t the only reason to give the album a listen. Almost every element is something to behold: stunning production and musicianship mean there are textures scattered throughout to unpick, and the amalgamation of folk, Americana, country and rock works admirably across its ten tracks. We can only hope that this isn’t just a one-off and that we might see more from this supergroup who are clearly at ease with each other.

Christopher Connor

Far From Saints is released on 16^th June 2023. For further information or to order the album visit Far From Saints’ website here.

Watch the video for the single Let the Light Shine Over You here: