Images By Jordan Hemingway
Words by Emily Jade Ricalton
Since the release of their second studio album, Visions Of A Life, Wolf Alice have been on an incredibly long four-year hiatus, but now theyÔÇÖre back and better than ever before ÔÇô youÔÇÿll just have to trust me on this one.
With the release of their third studio album, Blue Weekend, Wolf Alice have shown a clear development within the sound and style of their music. Blue Weekend is an ode to a range of emotions. From joy to sadness, this is something that is unique to the music that we have previously heard from the North London four-piece. Speaking to the bandÔÇÖs bassist, Theo Ellis, in an interview that we did with Quench earlier this year, Blue Weekend was ÔÇÿthe first time Ellie kind of let herself go with any preconceptions about things like love songs, and talking with a personal touch to thingsÔÇÖ. With DonÔÇÖt Delete the Kisses being one of the few love songs written by Ellie herself, we see a sense of personal growth and confidence come through within the lyrics of Blue Weekend, making it one of their most relatable and loveable albums to date.
Lipstick on the Glass shows an increasingly sensitive side to the band. ÔÇÿYeah I know it seems surprising when thereÔÇÖs lipstick still on the glassÔÇÖ hints at an element of heartbreak that is relatable to many. ItÔÇÖs a track that becomes symbolic of being betrayed by the one you love, with Rowsell pleading with her partner to ÔÇÿgo ahead and please leaveÔÇÖ. Unlike DonÔÇÖt Delete The Kisses, which provides an insight into the emotions felt whilst falling in love, Lipstick On The Glass shows the truth of losing your love. The trackÔÇÖs narrative beautifully charts the progression of emotion that someone feels whilst experiencing heartbreak. Whilst Rowsell begs for the relationship to happen again ÔÇÿonce moreÔÇÖ, us listeners are encompassed within an experience that we know far too well. Lipstick On The Glass is an iconic heartbreak song, and one of which many of us will be returning to within the future.
With two albums nominated for the prestigious Mercury Prize award, and Visions Of A Life winning the award in 2018, Blue Weekend does not fail to reach the pristine discography that Wolf Alice already have. Recorded over a period of despair and anxiety that was found during the Coronavirus Pandemic, the album has such a strength within its overall aesthetic. After such a tragic year, ItÔÇÖs refreshing.
Within Smile, the fourth track of Blue Weekend, and a track that was released just last month, we hear Ellie proclaim ÔÇÿI am what I am and IÔÇÖm good at it // And you donÔÇÖt like me, well that isnÔÇÖt f**king relevantÔÇÖÔÇô the perfect f**k you statement, if you ask me. The track is the epitome of the Wolf Alice sound. ItÔÇÖs heavy, itÔÇÖs distorted and itÔÇÖs powerful. It invokes Giant Peach, but in a way that is increasingly refined and developed. Similar to their first album, My Love Is Cool, Smile focuses on TheoÔÇÖs heavy bassline and overpowering chords. ItÔÇÖs definitely a song you listen to whilst youÔÇÖre pissed off, and honestly, itÔÇÖs great. Smile delves into the experiences of being a young adult. ÔÇÿI ainÔÇÖt ashamed in the fact that IÔÇÖm sensitive // I believe that it is the perfect adjectiveÔÇÖ describes the stereotypical emotions of being a young woman within such a judgemental world. ItÔÇÖs an empowerment to the over-sensitive and itÔÇÖs definitely a favourite of mine from the album.
Blue WeekendÔÇÖs seventh track, Play The Greatest Hits, is a true reflection of the anger expressed throughout Punk music. Similar to Yuk Foo, we see this song throwing us back to the 1970s, with JoffÔÇÖs destructive riffs ripping through the guitar of this track. ÔÇÿIt isnÔÇÖt loud enoughÔÇÖ is something we can definitely relate to if this song is kept quiet whilst being played. As Joff told Quench Music, ÔÇÿI think playing The Greatest Hitsis going to be a fun oneÔÇÖ, and you can definitely see why ÔÇô itÔÇÖs both a crowd pleaser, and a mosh-pit starter.
The experimental indie band bare their Grunge roots through┬áFeeling Myself.┬áWithin the first minute, Feeling Myself┬ácollapses into a passionate array of guitar music. Like┬áVisions Of A Life,┬áthe track is soft, yet mysterious. It has a strong reminder of SoundgardenÔÇÖs┬áBlack Hole Sun,┬áwhere the listener is reminded of the heavy beauty associated with rock music whilst avoiding this stereotypical route of chaotic sounds and hostility. ÔÇÿYou can watch me as I feel myselfÔÇÖ┬áemphasises, as she told┬áNME Magazine┬áearlier this year, RowsellÔÇÖs new-found confidence as a songwriter. We see a modern self-love that is inspiring for listeners. EllieÔÇÖs song-writing excels throughout┬áBlue Weekend┬áand it gives us a clear development in the way Wolf Alice are expanding and growing as a band.┬á
Blue Weekend can be found on all major streaming services here.