Out on 4th June 2021 across all formats ORDER HERE
Wolf Alice were formed in 2010 and after a couple of ins and outs, the line-up we know so well was established; Ellie Rowsell, Joel Amey, Joff Oddie and Theo Ellis.
On 4th June 2021, Wolf Alice’s released their third album, “Blue Weekend”, and it had a lot to live up to. The band have been kicking goals and making everybody take notice pretty much since day one.
In December 2013, they were chosen as the most-blogged-about artist in the UK by BBC Radio 6 Music.
In 2014, they signed to Dirty Hit.
On 22 June 2015 they released their debut album “My Love Is Cool” debuting at number two on the UK Albums Chart.
In 2017 their second studio album, “Visions of a Life” was released, which went on to win the 2018 Mercury Prize
So not only did “Blue Weekend” have a lot to live up to, it was highly anticipated as well.
Markus Dravs of Coldplay, Florence and The Machine and Arcade Fire fame has produced the album and straight from the first listen, you can hear the influence he has had on Blue Weekend, helping the band to add so much depth and power.
Ellie Rowsell’s vocals are quite simply amazing; snarling, angry, soft, delicate, and beguiling. Her lyrics are personal. “No Hard Feelings” is a classic break-up up song and the self-discovery of “Feeling Myself” is very intimate, indeed! As well as being edgy and confrontational, tracks such as “Smile” are intertwined with lyrics written by someone who has developed the self-belief you need to write an album like this. I can sum this up in these lines from “Smile” – “I am what I am and I’m good at it”……“you don’t like me, well that isn’t fucking relevant.”
Right from the very start with the pulsating beat and strum of “The Beach”, you get a feeling that this record has gone up a whole other level from the previous album and that is no mean feat in itself. “Blue Weekend” is overlayed with lush guitars, walking bass lines, layered harmonies and soaring choruses. Just listen to the Abba-esque “Safe From Heartbreak”.
“Blue Weekend” is Wolf Alice’s best work yet. The record is big, bold, brave, mature and intelligent; it struts with self-confidence, and it works on every level. It takes elements of Hole, The Pixies, Elastica, Verruca Salt, Sonic Youth; it is a fusion of British Indie, American Grunge Rock and they pull it off perfectly. Lead singer Ellie Rowsell’s voice is amazing blend of Justine Frischmann, Courtney Love AND Kim Deal and with the writing sensibilities of Kurt Cobain. Stadiums and headlining festivals beckon because Wolf Alice with “Blue Weekend” have truly established themselves as the shining new light of British guitar music.
9/10
Review by Desh Kapur
BLUE WEEKEND TRACKLISTING
The Beach
· Delicious Things
· Lipstick on The Glass
· Smile
· Safe from Heartbreak (if you never fall in love)
· How Can I Make It OK?
· Play the Greatest Hits
· Feeling Myself
· The Last Man on Earth
· No Hard Feelings
· The Beach II
WOLF ALICE TOUR DATES
JANUARY 2022
Wed 05 GLASGOW Barrowland (Extra Date)
Fri 07 GLASGOW Barrowland (Sold Out)
Sat 08 GLASGOW Barrowland (Sold Out)
Sun 09 NEWCASTLE O2 City Hall (Sold Out)
Mon 10 NORWICH UEA (Sold Out)
Wed 12 MANCHESTER O2 Apollo (Sold Out)
Thu 13 MANCHESTER O2 Apollo (Extra Date)
Fri 14 SHEFFIELD O2 Academy (Sold Out)
Sat 15 LIVERPOOL University (Sold Out)
Tue 18 LONDON Eventim Apollo (Sold Out)
Wed 19 LONDON Eventim Apollo (Extra Date)
Sat 22 SOUTHAMPTON O2 Guildhall (Sold Out)
Sun 23 BEXHILL-ON-SEA De La Warr Pavilion (Sold Out)
Mon 24 DUBLIN Olympia Theatre (Sold Out)
Tue 25 DUBLIN Olympia Theatre (Sold Out)
Thu 27 BIRMINGHAM O2 Academy (Sold Out)
Fri 28 PLYMOUTH Pavilions
Sun 30 BRISTOL O2 Academy (Sold Out)
Mon 31 BRISTOL O2 Academy (Sold Out)
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My life is a soundtrack, i track my life through music, photography is my passion, my escape, my expression. Without both i have pieces missing, thankfully i’m blessed and get to combine both.
Born in Manchester, lived in Australia for 22 years where i was heavily involved in the Australian Music Industry, firstly in bands (Singer) and then managing bands (all original), I moved back to the UK, Wales specifically 10 years ago and married my childhood sweetheart and life is good.
