Stan Laurels – There Is No Light Without the Dark

The last Stan Laurels album, Maybe, was one of the best power pop albums of 2018. The Stan Laurels are back (John Lathrop, to be exact) with their 4rth LP and the first power pop album of 2021. By his own admission, There is No Light Without the Dark is Lathrop’s most personal, honest album to date.

The partially autobiographical “Florida Man” starts things off just right, leading us into the breezy, Weezer-tinged “Tomorrow”.  Lathrop had me from the opening few seconds of “Lost & Found”. The guitars feel almost muscular (still equal parts jangle and crunch) it seems as if some thought was given into the way people listen today – streaming and mp3.

As in the past, the hooks and harmonies are ever present. There’s a lot to like throughout the entire album. Release date for The Stan Laurels’ There Is No Light Without the Dark is January 23. You can pre-order your copy at Big Stir Records.