Stone Temple Pilots

Released on 16 March 2018, Stone Temple Pilots marks a new chapter for the iconic American rock band. It’s the band’s first album with Jeff Gutt as the new lead vocalist, who joined in 2017 following the tragic deaths of original frontman Scott Weiland and former vocalist Chester Bennington. The album serves as a poignant tribute to the past while looking forward, as reflected in the heartfelt liner notes remembering Weiland and Bennington.

The self-titled album (the second in the band’s career) opens with “Meadow,” the lead single released in November 2017, setting the tone for a record that is both familiar and refreshed. The track blends the hard rock edge that made the band famous with a sense of reinvention that speaks to Gutt’s addition to the line-up. Stone Temple Pilots is an album that bridges the band’s legacy with their present, delivering the heavy hooks and emotional depth fans have come to expect.

“Roll Me Under,” which arrived in January 2018, is a powerful declaration of intent, underscoring the band’s resilience with a swaggering riff and introspective lyrics. “The Art of Letting Go,” released in February 2018, continues this theme, its driving rhythm and soaring melodies reflecting a band embracing both loss and renewal. The album closes with “Never Enough,” released in March 2018, a track that captures the perfect balance between nostalgia and modern rock sensibilities.

AllMusic praised the album for proving the band “haven’t lost their knack for hooky-heavy hard rock” and for opening a new door in their career. It’s a sentiment echoed by many, as the album successfully reinvigorates the band’s sound while honouring its past. With Gutt in the fold, they show that while the past cannot be replaced, the band still has much to offer in the present. Stone Temple Pilots is a confident, melodic record that both honours the band’s storied history and introduces a fresh era with optimism and energy.