Alex Lifeson’s New Sonic Frontier: The Bold Brilliance of Envy of None
For over four decades, Alex Lifeson carved his name into the bedrock of rock history as the groundbreaking guitarist of Rush. With intricate arrangements, ever-evolving guitar tones, and a fearless approach to composition, Lifeson helped redefine what it meant to be a rock musician. But what happens after you’ve already scaled the mountain? If you’re Alex Lifeson, you don’t stop—you evolve.
Enter Envy of None.
This bold and evocative project showcases Lifeson not as a nostalgic rocker revisiting past glories, but as an artist fully alive in the present—exploring fresh sonic terrain with an entirely new band. Alongside Alf Annibalini (guitar, keyboards), Andy Curran (bass, guitar, vocals), and the ethereal Maiah Wynne (vocals, keyboards), Lifeson delves into textured soundscapes that feel both haunting and intimate.
Their latest single, accompanied by a striking video, is a compelling meditation on the struggle to change.
🎧 Watch the video on YouTube
“I wrote about wanting to be better, to grow, and the sense of desperation that comes with that desire... I think it’s a theme a lot of people can connect with in some way. Whether it's habits, addiction, self-sabotage, or just unhealthy patterns, we all are trapped by something we are trying to break away from. If I had the power to write my own story, I’d want to be the hero, but so often I am my own villain.”
Lifeson’s guitar work is no less expressive. With Envy of None, he trades blistering solos and odd-time riffing for something more atmospheric—almost cinematic. His playing becomes a character in the story: moody, melodic, restrained, yet deeply resonant. Whether he's layering in mandola textures or coaxing emotion from the oud, Lifeson proves that true artistry is not bound by genre or ego—it’s bound only by curiosity and courage.
This isn't just a side project. It's a reinvention. And it's a reminder that even legends can still surprise us.