For the last decade, Wolf Alice has been one of Britain’s greatest bands. Their music ranges from gritty, grungey rock songs to dreamy, anthemic indie bops to slower, more pensive piano ballads. The band had three incredible LPs under their belt before 2025’s The Clearing, each being an improvement from the last, so it was with bated breath that their loyal cult of fans awaited this year’s release.
Compared to their previous album, Blue Weekend, which was glitzy and glamorous to the max, boasting high budget production and a real sense of Californian magic as the British band broke through to a new American fan base, The Clearing is sonically sparse, and uses more organic instrumentation rather than leaning on post production tricks. The band has said that they were focussed more on strong song writing and creating an album that they could play live, which ended up giving the album a very warm, vintage, 70s-esque feel.
It is not uncommon to see indie acts pivot towards a 70s lounge-style sound mid-career. Take Clairo’s Charm, or the Arctic Monkey’s Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino for example. It often feels like it’s about showcasing a new sense of sophistication after having been held as a staple in the musical rotation of 15 year old girls for several years.
And this is no different for Wolf Alice; while “Don’t Delete The Kisses” and “Bros” are timeless, nostalgic anthems that have personally been on my playlists since I was 15 (and still are), there is something more mature about their new album which I do think appeals to me more as my music taste has evolved. The album definitely showcases variety, ranging from sweet twinkly songs like “The Sofa” and “Just Two Girls,” to absolute behemoths such as “Bloom Baby Bloom”. It also feels like it is rooted in their London background, which is part of the band’s charm; songs such as “Bread Butter Tea Sugar” and “White Horses” give a nod to the band’s hometown. As with Blue Weekend, however, The Clearing also has a very Californian whimsy to it, perhaps because of the Fleetwood Mac-esque sonics that are woven throughout. That being said, while Blue Weekend felt like a crisp ocean breeze and a mojito under the sun, The Clearing is more like a martini in a warmly lit, glowy lounge. It feels like mahogany furniture and a late night cigarette. It is effortlessly cool, timeless, and clean.
