Wolf Alice - The Clearing
★★★★
RCA
Having begun their shift away from indie rock to pop (particularly of the dream variety) on 2021’s Blue Weekend, with The Clearing Wolf Alice determined to make an album with the sterling melodies and radio friendliness of mid-’70s Fleetwood Mac. In the breezy Just Two Girls, their take on the Mac is more akin to that of Jenny Lewis’s, while opener Thorns reveals layered harmonies of a distinctly ABBA-like flavour.
Recorded in LA and overseen by Greg Kurstin (Adele, Paul McCartney), it’s a record that expands their horizons while keeping one eye on commerciality. Bloom Baby Bloom dabbles in Latin rhythms, and Leaning Against The Wall features Elliott Smith-inspired vocals before unexpectedly veering into the gospel soul of Sault. Throughout, singer Ellie Rowsell is a compelling presence, and the result is Wolf Alice’s best yet.
The Clearing is our August 22 on RCA.
ORDER: Amazon | Rough Trade
Tracklisting:
1. Thorns
2. Bloom Baby Bloom
3. Just Two Girls
4. Leaning Against The Wall
5. Passenger Seat
6. Play It Out
7. Bread Butter Tea Sugar
8. Safe in the World
9. Midnight Song
10. White Horses
11. The Sofa
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