Since the release of the music video for “Bloom Baby Bloom,” the lead single from Wolf Alice’s highly anticipated fourth album, The Clearing, fans have been buzzing about the band’s evolution. This London-based band, which emerged in the early 2010s with their seminal track “Bros” from the album My Love Is Cool, has grown to become a prominent figure in the British music scene. They have earned accolades such as a Brit Award for Best British Group and a Mercury Prize for their second album, Visions of a Life, while their third studio effort, Blue Weekend, topped the UK charts.
With such immense success from their quirky and unique approach to indie rock, one may wonder why Wolf Alice feels the need to push boundaries. The answer lies in their philosophy: they are not a band that rests on their accomplishments. The “Bloom Baby Bloom” music video is a testament to this, featuring Joff Oddie, Joel Amey, and Theo Ellis portraying ‘70s California rock vibes, decked out in denim and leather alongside energetic dancers adorned in vibrant legwarmers and leotards. Frontwoman Ellie Rowsell further captures the spotlight with her dazzling presence and a Bob Fosse-inspired dance performance. This transformation from their early days playing in small venues to now thriving with such production highlights their growth artistically and visually.
After 15 years of creating music together and marking their first release under the Columbia Records label in 2024, Wolf Alice feels poised to take a more ambitious direction. Their new album, The Clearing, consists of 11 expertly crafted tracks that highlight their signature elements: catchy pop hooks, Rowsell’s beautifully evocative lyrics, and a ‘70s-inspired sound in songs like “Bread Butter Tea Sugar” and “The Sofa.” The camaraderie within the band shines on tracks such as “White Horses,” sung by drummer Joel Amey, showcasing their collective talent.
As the band embarks on their US tour, they took a moment to speak with Vogue about the creative journey behind The Clearing, the captivating visual experience accompanying it, and their newfound embrace of classic rockstar fashion.
Vogue: Can you tell us when you started writing this album? I’ve read that it started after you signed with Columbia, marking a new chapter for you.
Joff Oddie: It wasn’t necessarily a clean slate, but there was definitely excitement in the air. This new chapter meant that we could envision bigger things. Creativity has always flowed easily among the four of us. While some songs existed prior, the songwriting process felt like our previous sessions; we discussed what we wanted to achieve. However, we aimed to take a different approach compared to our earlier work, focusing more on the energy rather than getting lost in production-heavy demos before even stepping into the studio.
Rowsell performing on tour.
Photo: Harriet Bols
Reflecting on the earlier stages of your career, you were releasing records at a rapid pace. With The Clearing and Blue Weekend, you seem to have taken a more relaxed approach. What has that additional time given to your music?
Oddie: We released our second record right after the first; we jumped straight back into the studio and started recording. By the time we began Blue Weekend, we needed a break. The extra time has been a privilege, allowing us to explore ideas more deeply. Working with Greg Kurstin as a producer also added a fantastic dynamic.
What was it about working with Greg that made you choose him for this album?
Ellie Rowsell: Greg’s ability to navigate various genres opened up possibilities for us. We’ve met him before and appreciated his understanding of band dynamics, which is important to us.
Oddie: His good sense of humor has also made working together easy.
We’ve heard you express that this time you were open to ambition in your work. Did Greg’s background in pop music influence that?
Rowsell: We’ve always aimed to create pop music on some level; perhaps we just weren’t as successful at it before! [Laughs.]
Oddie: Sometimes it’s a struggle!
You discuss themes in the album that relate to your experiences entering your 30s, juxtaposed with a bold sound. What led to this theatrical approach to storytelling?
Rowsell: The album’s themes emphasize joy in the small aspects of life. Singing about them dramatically seems fitting because we want to celebrate these experiences. It might have been an unconscious choice, but it enhances the music’s essence.
Oddie: You can hear the personalities of each band member in this record, which reflects our acceptance of who we are as musicians. There’s a genuine personal touch to how each of us plays.
Ellie, your vocal performances on the album are impressive, oscillating between powerful belts and soft whispers. Did you approach the writing process with an intention to try new vocal expressions?
Rowsell: Yes, I wanted to keep things exciting for myself. As I’ve grown, I’ve felt liberated to explore my voice without being confined to a certain identity.
When did you start conceptualizing the visual elements that would accompany the album, which feels so fully realized?
Rowsell: We discussed visuals earlier than usual this time around. We even contemplated what colors resonated with the album. Once we better understood our discography, we began formulating visual ideas. With Rachel Fleminger Hudson joining our team, her vision really centered around us being playful and expressive, contributing to a unified band aesthetic.
The most recent videos, particularly for “Bloom Baby Bloom,” radiate a vibrant energy—was it fun to create them?
Theo Ellis: Absolutely! We worked with amazing choreographer Ryan Heffington, and had incredible dancers. The stylish choices helped form a dynamic representation of the band, and involvement in that process was thrilling for us.
Joel Amey: It was fantastic to witness the choreography in action during the video shoot—it was a fun day! It’s surreal to realize how fortunate we are to express ourselves creatively.
As you prepare for the tour, how do you feel about performing these new songs live?
Oddie: It’s incredibly busy. We’re stepping into a new level in terms of our performer status, especially in the UK, and it’s thrilling. These songs shine in live settings since they capture the raw energy we aim to deliver.
Will we see any of those Bob Fosse-inspired moves on stage, Ellie?
Rowsell: Not likely! I’ll leave those moves to the professionals. But I’m excited about the energy we’re bringing to the stage this time around.
Oddie: I’ve been watching Ellie’s performances, and her energy is truly captivating. It feels like we’re more ready now than ever to take on these arena shows, and we’re excited about this new chapter.
This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.
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