London’s pop-punk four-piece, Wolf Alice, have been bashing out brilliantly-audacious singles and EPs since 2012, but we are yet awaiting their still detail-less, highly-anticipated debut album. However, fresh new track “Giant Peach,” perhaps a reference to Roald Dahl’s classic, James and the Giant Peach, gives us an insight into what they have rolled up their denim sleeves.
The track precedes with a continuous, adrenaline-fuelled chug on front-lady Ellie Rowsell’s grungy guitar, and is layered with psychedelic washes of another heavily reverb-ed guitar for the climactic opening minute and a half. There is definitely a hint of Wang Chung’s “Fire In The Twilight,” an iconic track used in John Hughes’ coming-of-age hit film, The Breakfast Club, and perhaps that’s what four-piece Wolf Alice are conveying through new track “Giant Peach”: pure youthful rebellion. Lyrics “I don’t tell lies / I just don’t tell the truth” highlight over layers of raucous guitars, again, that overwhelming sense of youthful uprising.
Come 3:19, nothing but a chugging bass line brews alongside Rowsell’s enigmatic, half-whispered vocals, reminiscent, possibly, of Blondie’s hit song “Rapture,” until introduced to a gradual a crescendo of psychedelic twangs from guitarist, Joff Oddie, and crescendo in the vocals. With each sound lingers a splinter of desperation to reach that greatly anticipated tension-breaker which satisfyingly concludes with layers of wonderful psychedelic noise. From early, high-spirited single “Fluffy,” to slightly darker recent single “Moaning Lisa Smile,” to fresh-out-the-box “Giant Peach,” it’s not difficult to see how much Londoner’s Wolf Alice have matured as a band, so perhaps the greatly awaited debut album is not as overdue as it may seem.
Currently in the process of recording their forthcoming debut album, Wolf Alice have set out a headlining 14-date UK tour, beginning in Glasgow on March 23rd and finishing up in Cambridge on April 10th. It’s bound to be brimming with new and exciting material, as well as old favourites such as “Bros,” “Fluffy,” and “White Leather.” Only recently were they supporting the likes of the recently broken-up Camden foursome, Tribes, dominated a slot at London’s month long iTunes Festival, Dot To Dot Festival and, of course, conquering the John Peel stage at Glastonbury. 2015 holds a lot for London’s four-piece, Wolf Alice, so watch out.