Blue Weekend - Ellie Rowsell & Co. go from great to magnificent with this spell-binding third album

It seemed that, after winning the Mercury Prize for their second album ‘Visions of a Life’, Wolf Alice had peaked as a band; their debut album ‘My Love Is Cool’ was critically very well received, and the follow-up had been lauded. Where could they go from here? Surely, they were destined to the same curse as hits almost every indie band: eventual mediocrity and complacency. However, with ‘Blue Weekend’, Wolf Alice not only demonstrate their immense talent, but have also created what is probably their best album yet.

An incredibly clean and cohesive album, ‘Blue Weekend’ displays a lighter, more folksy side to the band’s instrumentation. Distinctly less rock-y than their previous two albums, the ethereal guitar playing on tracks like ‘Safe From Heartbreak’ blends perfectly with Ellie Rowsell’s voice, creating a stunning sound which really sets the album apart. ‘Blue Weekend’ really feels like their most consistent album to date, with the dreamy atmosphere carrying through from track to track, and each song blending well together.

Whilst the singles for the album, especially ‘The Last Man on Earth’, were perfect teasers for what was to come, Wolf Alice clearly saved the best song for the album. ‘Lipstick On The Glass’ and ‘How Can I Make It Ok?’ are the clear standouts; the former captures the ethereal nature of the album well, making use of classical guitar to create a beautiful, truly ascendant song. ‘How Can I Make It Ok?’ is an incredible track, with a fantastic chorus and some incredibly impactful guitar riff. With shades of Sharon Van Etten or Kate Bush, it is Ellie Rowsell’s voice at its best.

Overall, ‘Blue Weekend’ really displays the maturity and musical talent of Wolf Alice, better than any of their previous work. Easily their most well-made and consistent album, ‘Blue Weekend’ demonstrates why Wolf Alice are probably the best British band currently.

Wolf Alice's third album is out on streaming platforms now.