Wolf Alice embrace maturity and bloom into self-assurance on ‘The Clearing’
The band trades their past angst and distortion for a more intimate 70s-inspired sound on their most composed record yet.
Photo: Press
Expectations were set when Wolf Alice teased upcoming music back in April and, with a four-year gap between records, The Clearing sure needed to be as special as their previous critically acclaimed record, Blue Weekend.
Following a new deal with Columbia Records and members entering their thirties, the expectation of a change in sound was sure to be foreseen, with The Clearing embracing more nostalgic sounds of the 70s glam rock era. A refined sense of maturity shapes this record, with Wolf Alice seemingly ditching the rock tropes of their previous work and replacing them with a more intimate approach. Rather than the more expansive soundscapes My Love Is Cool and Visions Of A Life had to offer throughout the track list, The Clearing sticks to more raw instrumentation, relying on piano chords, strings and acoustics to frame Ellie Rowsell’s vocals, the undeniable star of the show. As band members move further into adulthood and the unpredictability of their younger selves fades, the lyricism shifts toward more mature themes of motherhood, self-discovery, and friendship.
Teased with the opening claps and piano chords of a track back in April, it wasn’t long till the release of comeback single Bloom Baby Bloom in May. Despite defiantly being the heaviest song on the record, Bloom Baby Bloom made sure to set the tone for the record with Rowsell’s poetic lyricism and soaring vocal delivery. Metaphorically casting herself as a flower, Rowsell delves into the importance of experience in order to truly bloom in life: “Every flower needs to neighbour with the dirt / But I’ll bloom baby bloom”.
The opener, Thorns, feels like a direct connection to where Wolf Alice left off, with its structure and sonic feel mirroring the stark piano-led chords of The Last Man On Earth. Wolf Alice have shifted to something more contemporary here, though, with Rowsell’s vocals stretched to their raw edges while being supported by subtle strings and the remaining band’s backing vocals in the final section. Lyrically, Rowsell questions her inability to resist the compulsion of turning her suffering into art: “Would the wounds have healed had you not wrote the words down?”.
On The Clearing, Wolf Alice ventures into niche, often overlooked themes that many songwriters may avoid, with Just Two Girls capturing the simple yet profound joy of reconnecting with your best friend at a bar. Similarly, the production mirrors this sentiment, with stripped-back instrumentation and a loose, unpolished texture that evokes the intimacy of a jazz bar live mic night. From there, Wolf Alice push further into mature lyricism with Play It Out, a song rooted in reflection on time, ageing and the unknowns of adulthood. Rowsell toys with the idea of motherhood — “I will rule the world / Rock the cradle with a babeless hand” — while also embracing the thrill of life’s impermanence, “I wanna age with excitement / Go grey and feel delighted”. Musically, it leans toward a sense of triumph, layering harmonies and swelling drums in its final third, but instead retreats back into the quiet piano chords of its opening, potentially reflecting Rowsell’s desire in adulthood for a more grounded, contemplative life.
Despite Rowsell’s clear intention to take the spotlight, as mirrored in the record’s cover, she leaves plenty of room for the other members to take their turns at singing through the record’s gentler instrumentation, with drummer Joel Amey contributing vocals on acoustic-driven tracks like Passenger Seat and White Horses. The latter is a clear highlight of the record, with Amey’s vocals providing a fresh contrast to Rowsell’s signature delivery. His gentle, understated performance rides atop the acoustic-driven arrangement, giving the track a confessional quality. Lyrically, the song reflects on chosen family and enduring connections, emphasising loyalty and support for those closest to us in a way that feels both personal and universally relatable.
The Clearing is the sound of Wolf Alice trading their chaotic youth for the subtler, hard-earned truths of their adulthood. Where once they wore their rage on their sleeves, here they step back, reflect and document it, finding joy and acceptance in the small moments of growing older, thanking these experiences as a pathway to the present. The Clearing sacrifices the expansive sound of their previous work for cohesion, resulting in a record that, while it may seem unadventurous to early fans, stands as a major turning point for a band that is finally comfortable in its own skin.
The Clearing is out now via Columbia Records.