Wolf Alice – The Clearing
A decade on from their debut album, My Love Is Cool, Wolf Alice have been consistently moving forward, never content to stand still or stick to one particular sound. They’ve had their share of accolades in the past ten years, from the Mercury Prize for their second album, Visions of a Life, to a Brit for Best British Group in 2022. After a four-year break, anticipation was naturally sky high for their fourth album, The Clearing. It’s another eclectic peak at a different corner of Wolf Alice’s soundscape.
From the opening piano and strings of Thorns, it’s clear this is a different, more mature group. Ellie Roswell’s vocals have rarely sounded better, really soaring in the final moments. It might be softer, but there is a tenderness to it. Bloom Baby Bloom, which was the first glimpse of new material, is frenetic and unlike anything they’ve done to date. It captures both the new shades reflected on this record but also the roughness the band has always brought; it’s a fascinating blend.
The group has spoken of more of a soft rock and pop influence for this particular album, clear on the laid-back grooves of Just Two Girls; it’s a fun and more light-hearted pop track. It’s easy to picture a mass sing-along at their live shows. Leaning Against the Wall begins as more of a soft acoustic track, almost a duet between Rowsell and the guitar. As with the rest of the album, it’s not quite what it seems, with electronic elements lurking in the background and a great opportunity for drummer Joel Amey to cut loose later.
Passenger Seat is a track that seems perfect for a road trip, soaring and with a real momentum to it, the Fleetwood Mac influence clear to see. Far from being derivative, it feels like the band is rejuvenating a familiar sound. Bread Butter Tea Sugar continues in a similar fashion with a real driving beat to it. There are some fantastic guitar parts in the second half that really demonstrate the band’s musicianship and variety.
White Horses is a rare song that doesn’t feature Rowsell on lead vocals all the way through, with Amery taking on lead vocals before leading into a duet in the second half. It’s another unusual track with offbeat guitar and drums carrying it. The Sofa is a gorgeous closer, spotlighting Rowsell’s vocals alongside piano and stripped-back guitars. It is one of the most soothing tracks on the record and brings a truly calming vibe.
One of the big pluses for The Clearing is how far it departs from the sounds of Blue Weekend, which really wowed critics and fans alike. The shift towards more strings, pianos and soft rock here gives it its own distinct character and suits the greater focus on Rowsell’s vocals. This also allows the more experimental moments like Bloom Baby Bloom and White Horses to really shine. If it’s not quite as dynamic as some of their previous work, there is still a lot to admire here from one of Britain’s most consistently impressive groups.
Christopher Connor
Image: Rachel Fleminger Hudson
The Clearing is released on 22nd August 2025. For further information or to order the album, visit Wolf Alice’s website here.
Watch the video for Bloom Baby Bloom here:
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