Zach Pakulniewicz

Currently Spinning: The Clearing (2025) by Wolf Alice

Rating: 8/10

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The Clearing heralds Wolf Alice's tenth year in the studio and is my first exposure to any of their music. The London-based group primarily dwell in the indie zone, but The Clearing is anything but your average indie album. The record is dripping with the influence of the greats from the 60s and 70s - think Fleetwood Mac, Carpenters, Carole King - with the refined studio polish of the modern era. It's a very subtle touch that will undoubtedly keep this album in playlists for years to come, and it's a testament to the maturity that Wolf Alice has clearly grown into.

The album opens with what I consider to be the heaviest hitters. Thorns is a gorgeous ballad to set the tone of the album, a beautiful passage with a hint of remorse; it was reminiscent of Weyes Blood's Titanic Rising from 2019, another project with chilling chord progressions. The following two songs, Bloom Baby Bloom and Just Two Girls, bring the energy up and are highlights of the album. The grooves are tight, catchy, classic, and never overstay their welcome. If you listen to any of this album, make these your top picks.

The following songs are also pretty catchy in the context of the album. I did find the middle-back of The Clearing to be the weakest, even if still quality. Play It Out seems inspired by Bach's Prelude in C, a rather plain song that leaves little to latch onto. Bread Butter Tea Sugar and Safe in the World also tread slightly into theatrical, musical-esque motifs, adding a slight corniness that I don't believe was intentional. However, this weaker section is quick to resolve with closers White Horses and The Sofa, both being tunes that make me want to roll down my windows on a warm summer day as I drive into the sunset.

Overall, I was impressed with the quality of the writing, production, and mindfulness that Wolf Alice brought to The Clearing. If their prior material is as good as this record, then I have no doubt they will have earned a devoted fan in me.

My Current Top Ten Songs (No order)

My Current Top Ten Albums (No order)