I'm more partial to the idea that a metabolic system to harness energy had to develop before replication and that life started in alkaline hydrothermal vents rather than ponds due to the delivery of energy and concentration of chemicals. Really enjoyed Nick Lane's writing on this topic, highly recommend his books.
The article directly addresses that idea, and suggests it is not a likely answer:
> ...according to a review published in May 2020, “the direct synthesis of amino acids or nucleobases” – both of which are crucial to life as we know it – has “not yet been demonstrated” under alkaline vent conditions.
It does not say that it isn't likely, just that it hasn't been observed. This is the first article on the topic I've seen that even suggest that it isn't strongest candidate.
https://nick-lane.net/publications/origin-life-alkaline-hydr...