Why Wolf Alice’s L.A.-recorded album ‘The Clearing’ could mark its American breakthrough

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For fifteen years, Wolf Alice, a band from North London, has built a large following in the U.K. with four albums and countless energetic performances. They’re known for their captivating and atmospheric sound, powerful concerts, and a willingness to blend different genres like rock, shoegaze, and alternative pop, constantly pushing their musical boundaries.

The band’s new album, “The Clearing,” is expected to propel them to even greater success in the U.S., showcasing their development both as people and as musicians.

Wolf Alice, featuring Ellie Rowsell on vocals, Joff Oddie on guitar, Theo Ellis on bass, and Joel Amey on drums, offers a relatable and authentic look at life through both female and male viewpoints. Their music is dynamic, shifting effortlessly between energetic and subdued sounds. They’ve continually refined their style while still embracing experimentation, making their music especially captivating for both themselves and their audience.

“This tour has been amazing,” Ellis shared with The Times over Zoom. He added that it’s been their most packed and successful American tour yet, and their October 13th show at the Wiltern in Los Angeles is nearly sold out.

At this point in their career, Los Angeles has become a particularly important location for Wolf Alice. They recorded their album “The Clearing” there with renowned producer Greg Kurstin (known for his work with artists like Adele and Miley Cyrus). Kurstin helped blend his knack for pop music with the band’s unique style, encouraging them to explore everything from upbeat, synth-driven sounds to powerful, emotional ballads.

Drummer Amey explains that each of their albums has been made with a different producer, leading to a unique experience each time. This producer, in particular, created a relaxed and encouraging studio environment where everyone felt comfortable and could perform at their best. The band had been questioning their approach to the album’s sound for a while, and were starting to overthink things. Thankfully, his positive attitude helped them break through that cycle and achieve the sound they were looking for.

While Taylor Swift’s new album is sparking a lot of discussion about how pop music is made and what it represents, Wolf Alice’s music feels refreshingly natural and easy to enjoy, even though it’s just as catchy and widely appealing.

Wolf Alice first gained attention in the U.S. after a fantastic performance at Coachella in 2016, but we saw them live the following year at Dave Grohl’s Cal Jam. Their emotionally resonant alternative rock and stage presence were impressive, especially considering they shared the bill with artists like Liam Gallagher and the Foo Fighters (who they’ve also toured with). Their songs, mostly from their first two albums, “My Love Is Cool” and “Visions of a Life,” combined powerful guitar riffs with atmospheric sounds, bringing to mind bands like Smashing Pumpkins and Cocteau Twins. We were particularly struck by tracks like the edgy “Yuk Foo” and the catchy “Don’t Delete the Kisses.”

Following acclaimed albums like 2021’s “Blue Weekend” and their newest release, “The Clearing,” it’s been nearly ten years, and the band’s sound is more unique and difficult to categorize than ever. They’re also seasoned performers, with lots of experience touring and playing festivals.

Amey explains that music festivals are a huge part of life in the U.K., and the U.S. is starting to become more like that as well. In Europe and the U.K., going to festivals is almost a tradition for young people. For bands, festivals are considered essential, so they really enjoy playing them. This year, performing at Glastonbury felt like a great way to announce their return with new music while also celebrating their older songs.

Whether in their older or newer work, Wolf Alice has always used strong visuals. Their music already feels like a movie, and their music videos enhance both the stories they tell and the band’s image as rock stars.

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The band’s new album delves into the idea of performance, something you can really see in both the music videos and the music itself, particularly within the rock ’n’ roll style we’ve adopted,” explains vocalist Ellie Rowsell. “Unlike previous work where Wolf Alice avoided performance-focused videos, this album represents a shift in our approach.”

The song “Bloom Baby Bloom” includes a dynamic and energetic dance sequence – reminiscent of classic musical numbers – choreographed by Ryan Heffington, who’s known for his work on shows like “The OA” and Sia’s “Chandelier” music video. This performance really showcases the song’s emotional power, particularly Lucy Rowsell’s impressive vocals, and demonstrates how much the band has grown and found their artistic freedom as seasoned performers.

The song “Just Two Girls,” originally a gentle and unassuming track about female friendship reminiscent of 1970s soft rock, takes on a bolder meaning in its music video, becoming a celebration of women’s independence.

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Ellis describes the videos as a fantastic outlet for creativity, where you have a lot of freedom to experiment. He notes their playful and unconventional style offers exciting possibilities, and they’ve had positive experiences creating them in the United States.

The band has made some unforgettable appearances on American late-night television, like “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” and “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.” Their energetic performances always live up to the band’s name, which comes from a book about children raised by wolves.

The band’s popularity has definitely grown thanks to playing live shows. However, they recognize the music industry has changed a lot – even since they started 15 years ago. Streaming services and platforms like TikTok now play a huge role in how people discover music. But for a band that thrives on its own unique connection and creative energy, these industry shifts aren’t their primary focus.

Ellis explains that the band focuses on making music they love, rather than worrying about how people will find it. They believe the creative process shouldn’t be influenced by things like music discovery methods. For them, the music itself is the priority, and figuring out how to share it with the world should be enjoyable.

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2025-10-10 23:31