ALBUM REVIEW – WOLF ALICE – ”THE CLEARING“
- HARRY K
- Aug 25
- 2 min read
WORDS HARRY K
THE CLEARING
WOLF ALICE
OUT NOW
Wolf Alice have always been a band that thrive on contrasts — grit and sweetness, fury and tenderness, grunge riffs and ethereal melodies. With The Clearing (released August 22, 2025), their fourth studio album, they’ve stepped into something that feels both more polished and more grown-up. Produced by Greg Kurstin in Los Angeles after being written in their North London neighborhood, the record carries the weight of maturity without losing that signature Wolf Alice bite.
From the very first track, “Thorns,” the album opens with drama. It’s bold and theatrical — very Beatles-esque in its flourishes — and sets the stage for what feels like a more ambitious Wolf Alice than ever before.
“Bloom Baby Bloom” follows as a clear standout. It’s playful, glittering glam-pop that makes me think of Blondie and Kate Bush, two touchstones the band wear proudly here. It’s probably one of the most accessible Wolf Alice songs to date, but it never feels shallow.
Elsewhere, the band explore some of their most personal themes yet. “Just Two Girls” digs into the complicated, messy reality of female friendship with a disco shimmer, while “Play It Out” hits harder than expected — a piano ballad that wrestles with identity, aging, and the pressure of the future. For me, it’s one of the most moving moments on the record, possibly their most mature track to date.
They’re not afraid to experiment either. “White Horses” stood out instantly — not just because drummer Joel Amey takes the lead vocal, but because of its folk-krautrock fusion. It’s a left-turn that somehow fits the broader palette of the record.
As for the closer, “The Sofa,” it’s understated, almost hushed, a curtain call that lingers rather than explodes. It feels like Wolf Alice choosing subtlety over spectacle, which surprised me, but it works.
The Clearing is a confident, cohesive step forward for Wolf Alice. It’s clear they’ve grown — both as people and as artists — and the result is a record that balances big pop ambitions with introspective songwriting. Some fans might miss the raw, messy energy of their earlier work, but I think this album proves they can evolve without losing themselves. For me, it’s one of their most ambitious records yet, and while not every moment hits with equal force, the highs are breathtaking.
4/5 — bold, mature, and surprisingly tender.
The Clearing – Full Track Listing
Thorns
Bloom Baby Bloom
Just Two Girls
Leaning Against The Wall
Passenger Seat
Play It Out
Bread Butter Tea Sugar
Safe in the World
Midnight Song
White Horses
The Sofa
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