Wolf Alice - 'My Love is Cool' - Album review .

I sit (on a train at the time of writing!) here now, less than a week since Wolf Alice released their highly anticipated debut. In these 6 days, they have received acclaim from not only critics, but fellow musicians. The Manic Street Peachers have called it album of the year via social media and Swim Deep and Alt J have both expressed the need to go out a buy it. The former even using part of their Glastonbury set to inform the crowd.

Wolf Alice formed in 2010 in North London. They were named on the BBC Sound of 2015 poll, however lost out to James Bay. Great exposure however, to a band who blend hard hitting 90's rock with contemporary indie. Fronted by Ellie Rowsell, the band have a fairly diverse range of sounds and a front woman with an array of vocal styles.

The album kicks off with 'Turn to Dust', a rather uncharacteristic soothing ballad with Ellie's vocals being at the centre of everything. 'Bros' the single follows. Again, we don't see the band in over drive yet...A summer tune, reminiscent of an Alvvays song from last year. "There's no one, there's no one who knows me like you do".

Two songs in, you'd be forgiven the to think the record is your typical female fronted indie surf rock setup. I'm thinking Alvvays as previously mentioned,  or maybe Best Coast. However, the feel off the album shifts on 'Your Loves Whore'. From the soaring vocals around 45 seconds in and the Smashing Pumpkins esque riff that follows, the band step up a level musically. It's not reinventing the wheel, but it reflects the contrast of intensity that the band can perform. The track features some brilliant vocals and an infectious guitar sound. The highlight so far for sure. 'You're a germ', shifts further away from the opening two with a feedback heavy guitar rip and gritty vocals. Ellie bellows out towards the end with furiosity in her voice. "You're a guilty fucker as well. Yes you are!" It's clear at this point, they can do nicey-nicey stuff but also have a little fire in their belly.

'Lisbon' and 'Silk' come next. The latter being a dark, fairly intimate track and a lyrical highlight. "My love it kills me slowly, slowly I could die". Ellie appears to be singing about dead end relationships and the hurt and frustration it can bring. "No one wants to feel this sad". "If you don't love me, don't tell me. I've never asked who and I've never asked why". A real grower and another sign the band can adapt.

'Freazy' metaphorically puts the ray bans and sea side backdrop back into the fray, with a catchy, sing/dance along chorus. A festival song if there is such a thing... 'Giant Peach' is next, which was initially the first music I heard from Wolf Alice. The intro is a belter (2 minutes long), with a build up of guitar riffs. Simple, catchy and instantly loveable. The vocals are different here and reminded me of Warpaint or maybe even shades of Alice Glass. Dreamy, hazy and post punk.

'Swallowtail' features male vocals. I'm assuming it is either one of the guitarists or the drummer. This track doesn't work as well for me and features a rather random, unexpected jam at the end. 'Soapy Water' enters a new realm once again. Guitars are swapped for keyboards and Ellie perhaps sings of her or a loved ones anxiety and depression."Anxiety's grip is always waiting to take me, it sits in my stomach, I fear it's starting to shape me." The albums penultimate track is 'Fluffy'. The vocals again are really impressive, with a number of styles packed in within 3 minutes. This one lifted the roof off Rough Trade East last Tuesday (23rd June). 'The Wonderwhy' closes up, and perhaps didn't need to be included. One criticism could be the album is a couple of tracks longer than it needs to be. I've always been one for a solid 10/11 track album.

The 30 minute set I witnessed last week showed they're a decent live outfit. Considering the crowd was around 100/150, they tore the roof off, crowdsurfed and left us all begging for more. Brixton in September is when I'll see them next!

Some have criticised the album for being too disjointed and have argued that the band don't really know what they are yet. Whilst I agree they could have ditched a song or two, I think the diverse nature of the album is a strength. Time will tell how far Wolf Alice can go... It's a cliche but the second album will be key to any long term success. I hope they buck this horrible trend of releasing a follow up within 12 months and they actually take their time and build up some anticipation and excitement for future music.

Wolf Alice are ones to watch.

8.5/10

Here is single 'Bros'

Jamie xx - 'In Colour' album review.

Relocation of work, home and everything else in my life has meant it's been over a month since a post... and there has been some seriously good music released since then! Here it goes...

Jamie xx or Jamie Smith as his mother knows him, was born in London in 1988. Most well known for the obvious... his part in 'the xx', alongside his childhood friend Romy Madley Croft. However, despite a good helping of success with the band, he is also known for his remix and dj performances, which includes remixing Adele and Florence. It's this love for electronic sounds that he really homes in on for this record. 5 years in the making, it was often put on the backburner as he focussed on other projects. It is fair to say it doesn't suffer.

This album is as accessible as the xx's albums are. It's quite an art to create albums which are pure and serene yet appeal to a wide audience. Essentially, this plays as an xx album (Romy does appear several times) but with a electronic foundation at its core. Gentle guitar hooks, african beats and atmospheric synths are all married up with beautifully simple yet engaging beats. 

'Gosh' took me surprise on first listen. Probably because it featured the voice sample 'UK Massive' and I actually enjoyed the track. A first for everything! The garage opening is partnered beautifully in the second half of the track with deep and low synths. There is nothing complex here, but it works so well. 'Sleep Sound' follows which is a personal highlight of mine. A track which he has played round with for many years, but edited to perfection for the album. A track which shows the beauty of vocal instrumentation but also the art of a good grove is often relatively simple. 

'SeeSaw' and 'Loud Places' see his pal Romy head up the vocals. We already know her voice compliments his musical style. The latter of those tracks is a real beauty. The guitar outro playing out over the vocals towards the end is highly satisfying. Which is a word you use a lot when describing Jamie's music. He can just strike a chord with you musically. This happens again on penultimate track 'The Rest is Noise". Atmospheric, soaring snynths with nicely timed bass beats, a gentle piano solo and a hell of a lot more. Yet it doesn't feel too much. The art of a lot going on but being gentle on the ears is pure musical talent. 

This album is strong throughout and is perfect for the electronic sceptics out there. The more I hear from him, the more clever and impressive he becomes. He is no stranger to critical acclaim and has already won a mercury prize with the xx. He's already the bookies favourite to pick up another with this effort. 

9/10

Here is single ' Loud Places':

Wolf Alice review to come!