WOLF ALICE

The Clearing

Release Date : 22 August 2025

I’ll get straight to the point and say that I like Wolf Alice, and if you’re reading this, then there’s a good chance that you like them too.

I love the name, Wolf Alice, as it conjures up so many preconceptions . . . are they a metal band, are they goth, alternative, what are they? And I loved the first time I saw singer Ellie Rowsell standing in such a commanding pose at the front of the stage, long dark hair flowing with a cool black Telecaster in her hand . . . I knew nothing about her at the time, and yeah, I like black Telecasters too!

But their first album, My Love is Cool released back in 2015, wasn’t what I was expecting. 

For those of you new to the scene, Wolf Alice are really not a metal or goth band . . . but what are they? I recently watched Justin Hawkins review "Bloom Baby Bloom", the first single released from this very brand new album, and his jaw dropped to the floor. He was astounded, and rightly so, because it wasn’t what he was expecting either. Are they loud, are they quiet, are they punk, rock, political, passive, gentle or hard . . . how do you even begin to describe them?

Because yes, they are all of these things, but I watched them live at Reading, as the glorious sun went down around us and Wolf Alice performed on stage. That was when it all made sense.

Ellie Rowsell is an outstanding singer. She can scream and croon and purr along to anything, and as each song erupts or whispers from the stage, it is incredible to find that one person can cross so many genres and styles with ease.  There are moments when I am sure that she has to be classically trained, because she hits every note perfectly and what soaring songs! (But I couldn’t find any evidence of that and yes, I did some very high level research, who would have thought?!)

But now it is 2025 and Ellie has traded in her moody black Telecaster for a set of spangled sparkly shorts and top. I think Justin Hawkins must be in heaven, but what does that mean for this 4th album of theirs?

Glastonbury hinted, as "Bloom Baby Bloom" rocked from the stage, as did "The Sofa", the 2nd release from the album. Two very different songs, but new album The Clearing opens with a gentle keyboard, blossoming into strings. This is a perfect opener, and impossible to fault. The singing is divine, especially on a fine Summer’s afternoon like today. "Thorns" washes over you, so very radio friendly, it could well have been a single too. But as with most Wolf Alice songs, there is pain (it’s a song called Thorns, right?) and upset, as Ellie questions her own need to keep probing that pain.

So then we sweep into "Bloom Baby Bloom", with its soaring, screaming vocals, we know this one, right? Its infectious repeating riff draws us in, and we find Ellie’s voice hard to ignore . . . where beauty and dirt and the exploitive world we still live in crushing in on all sides . . . but the band comes alive too as she stands defiant, with brilliant drums from Joel Amey. I can just imagine his arms reaching across like spiders to hit those toms, and guitarist Joff Oddie lets loose with a stunning blaze of glory. No surprise that this was their 1st single release then!

"Just Two Girls" follows up, with keyboards and a bright late 60’s feel to me . . . dry percussion, Hammond organ vibes and lilting lyrics that sound so light that it’s easy to miss the odd f-bomb! It’s great to hear bassist Theo Ellis letting rip with a few twisting bass runs too, as we know he’s no shrinking violet.

4th song "Leaning Against the Wall" sweeps by with beautiful acoustic guitars, and the playing is truly beautiful. I’m now getting the picture that this album is a collection of very finely crafted songs. "Passenger Seat" is another one of your perfect songs to listen to in the fields of the festival as the sun wanes, guitars strumming, the audience gently rocking from side to side. We’re seeing the more mellow side of Wolf Alice here.

It's just Ellie and her piano on "Play It Out", raw and unabashed. "Bread Butter Tea Sugar" hits an early 70’s gentle rock vibe, it’s impeccably done, and I feel that this is an album of quiet introspection, without the less predictable flourishes of previous albums. We find no shouting, no distorted guitars. There is an even pitch, with "Bloom Baby Bloom" probably being the most ‘rock’ song of the bunch.

Songs "Safe in the World" and "Midnight Song" do not disappoint, the former going for electric strings, the later going acoustic, dancing with cello and violin flourishes, it’s a beautiful song again.

The 3rd single release of the album was "White Horses", and a favourite of mine as it conjures something of the spirit of Goldfrapp, but with a complex guitar accompaniment and upbeat tempo. It testifies once again to how varied in their vocal talent they can be. The effect is mesmerizing.

Final song "The Sofa" is also a known single, a strangely brave and vulnerable piece, deceptive in its title and surprising at times, I marvel again at their song writing skills.

So there you have it, a more beautiful and thoughtfully crafted album than previous collections perhaps, with less surprises along the way, but such a glorious experience. With every word and note so impeccably placed, just lie back as the evening approaches and press Play.

You won’t regret it.

Review by Steve Gibson for Return To Sound

UK AND IRELAND DATES

NOVEMBER

Fri 28 MANCHESTER AO Arena

Sat 29 BIRMINGHAM Utilita Arena

DECEMBER

Mon 01 CARDIFF Utilita Arena

Tue 02 LONDON O2 Arena

Wed 03 LONDON O2 Arena

Fri 05 LEEDS First Direct Arena

Sun 07 GLASGOW OVO Hydro Arena

Mon 08 NOTTINGHAM Motorpoint Arena

Wed 10 DUBLIN 3 Arena

Website

Wolf Alice