Wolf Alice unveil their third album ‘Blue Weekend’
Wolf Alice explore growing up, heartbreak and self-love on what could really be their best album yet
★★★★★
Photo: Alex Lake for The Times
Wolf Alice are one of those bands who I swear it is impossible to dislike. Since their breakthrough debut album My Love Is Cool in 2015, they’ve built up a strong following and gained much critical acclaim along the way, with their second record, Visions Of A Life, winning the Mercury Prize in 2018.
Of course, this has all brought with it immense pressure for their new record; but it is definitely safe to say that Blue Weekend lives up to expectations.
The first track, The Beach, begins softly, but with intent; it builds up slowly with steady drums and guitars until a euphoric final verse, really setting the scene for what is to come on the album.
When the second song, Delicious Things, kicks in, there is a definite sense that Wolf Alice have grown up.
In an interview with NME in March, frontwoman Ellie Rowsell noted that Blue Weekend was more personal than previous albums, saying that “every time you’ve been your more authentic self and people like it, that gives you the confidence to be even more authentic the next time and open up a bit more”. This is reflected in the openness and honesty in many of the lyrics — particularly within “I'm socially anxious and a long way from home / I've only just learnt my margarita from mojito”.
Photo: Alex Lake
Lipstick On The Glass, the album’s third track, has a slightly melancholic feel, yet still feels effortlessly light and dreamy. The lyrics are centred on romance and relationships, a theme that is seen quite a lot throughout the album, with indulgent lyrics containing “Oh, but there's no pleasure in resisting / So go ahead and kiss me”.
It’s easy to get lost in the tranquil sounds, but we are soon snapped back to attention with the fourth track Smile. Having been released as a single back in April, this song is already one of my favourite Wolf Alice tunes. It brings us back to the slightly heavier sound we’ve heard on the band’s previous records, with belting guitars accompanied by Rowsell’s powerful and diverse vocals. The lyrics are still heartfelt and honest, but gloriously unapologetic: “I am what I am and I’m good at it / And you don't like me, well that isn’t fucking relevant”. Also, the bass solo in the middle is probably — basically — the best thing ever.
Safe From Heartbreak (if you never fall in love) highlights just how much Rowsell’s voice really helps to define and carry the band’s sound; her distinct vocals bring such emotion to all Wolf Alice songs, with sensitivity and softness, but with the ability to quickly switch to being raw and angry, seen on songs such as My Love Is Cool track You’re a Germ.
As with much of the album, How Can I Make It OK?, touches on the topic of relationships, and trying to navigate around heartbreak: “How can I make it okay? / Nothing else is as important as that to me”.
Play The Greatest Hits is another stomper, a heavier tune with past paced drums that transports you to the kitchen of a house party. Like Smile, this song harks back to the older Wolf Alice sound we’re used to. While the track is energetic and sounds fun, there is a sort of darkness to it, with the frantic and urgent screams suggesting there is more to the story than just a fun get-together: “Matter over mind / Fill in the silence with the first thing you find”.
One of the things I really love about Wolf Alice is their ability to seamlessly follow a heavier rock song with a softer, more tender track. This is seen with the transition to the next tune, Feeling Myself. This song just sounds massive; with the gentler sections followed by dreamily anthemic choruses, and the lyrics touching on self-love and sexuality. The lyrics are another example of Rowsell opening up more about herself on this album, and embracing self-empowerment.
The album’s ninth track, The Last Man On Earth, is almost impossible to write about because I don’t think I’ll do it justice. There’s not even much to say – it’s simply a perfect song. It really signals the band’s progression since the first album, too; they’re not just making “indie bangers”, they’re creating masterpieces. Be warned that this song will probably make you cry (when they played it on Jules Holland, there was barely a dry eye in my house).
The album is wrapped up with the bitter-sweet No Hard Feelings, before closing with The Beach II.
Sharing the same name as the opening track, but with a totally different sound, it really rounds off the album well; it sounds complete and brings the album to a satisfying end. It helps to make the record feel like a proper experience, rather than just a collection of songs that have been thrown together. A perfect ending, if you will.
Blue Weekend really shows that Wolf Alice are in a league of their own. With a unique and varied sound, which has developed and matured beautifully since their previous albums, this record proves that they are definitely one of the best bands around right now. A perfect soundtrack for the summer, it could well be their best album so far. If you haven’t heard it yet, have a listen and decide for yourself.
