From Bandcamp, “The second album to be released by NINE STONES CLOSE in 2024 is “Adventures In Anhedonia.” It is a very personal album, lyrically, and reflects on the mental state and wellbeing of us all, based on the personal experiences and traumas of Adrian Jones’ recent past. Adrian says, “...it really reflects what’s been happening to me over the past years, the effect it’s had on me and how I have tried to deal with some of it...” The album has nine songs.

“Beach Walker” is first. It has gentle tones at first, and hardens just a little from there, but the soft, subtle melodies and expressive vocals tell the story. When someone walks the beach, I always have the image of contemplation, and I think that was what the band was trying to get across. “Anhedonia” is another slow starter, as atmosphere builds along with clean guitars, and some grey skies. Anhedonia is the inability to experience joy or pleasure, and you can tell that this is Adrian’s experience. “You made your choice, you got to live with it” he muses. “Binary” is a mechanical term for something that is either on or off. I suppose in the context of the gentle song here he is frustrated that it can’t be adjusted…whatever it might be. The song has a mixture of some jovial sounds and melancholy ones, but it very emotional.

“The Mind” is much shorter, and it signifies perhaps a change in his viewpoint. There are harder, blues tones here, grinding out a solo that drips with passion. “Walk Towards the Sun” seems like something that someone might say to themselves to encourage forward progress in a difficult situation. It has a heaping dose of despair but as he utters “keep walking,” hope springs. “Landwaster” has mostly electronic tones, and it is meant to enhance the mood. They strike over and over sharply, while the vocals moan with pain. “The Moment I Stopped Caring” is like a weight being lifted from your shoulders…a heavy burden. The song is gentle, but also tense, and I get the feeling that he hasn’t stopped completely caring.

“Hole” might be referring to a space inside your body that just feels empty. Or, it could be a hole that is left when someone you love leaves, and I think that is the kind of hole he is talking about. “Plastic Animals” closes the album, and I believe I was leaning towards some kind of “silver lining” type of ending to some of the pain he was carrying around, but it wasn’t there. I suppose in a way that is how most things go in real life, even though motion pictures would lead us to believe otherwise. Take a deep look at the album cover to unlock some of the secrets within. It’s a head shot of a man with black eyes and an expressionless face amidst the bright, vibrant lights of a city. Someone who feels alone, perhaps disenfranchised. Whatever his pain is, it is real, and the songs reflect that, in melancholy, questioning, and anguished tones.