There are no real words to describe the first track, ‘Turn to Dust’ of Wolf Alice’s debut LP My Love Is Cool. Lead singer Ellie Rowsell croons at wavering levels, reaching notes you’ve almost forgotten were possible. There’s a simple steady beat from both the drums and guitar that set her vocals of perfectly. Expect goosebumps on this one.
‘Bros’ continues on with the happy feel-good vibes, but considerably amps up the instrumental arrangement. It’s a track we’ve heard – and loved – played on the radio multiple times, so I’m not going to waste too much time talking on this one.
Part of the Wolf Alice charm is their ability to create so much diversity in each of their releases, and My Love is Cool has been no exception to this rule. Ellie has stated that it’s due to the band’s forever changing emotions, with each genre reflecting their moods to a tee. Throughout the album there’s elation, sadness, frustration, sentimentality and so many more.
‘You’re a Germ’ is an angrier track on the release, the guitar riffs are plenty and the drum beats are heavy – making it a highlight on the album. ‘Lisbon’ is mesmerising and overpowering in its layering and how the instruments seem to “consume” the song and Ellie’s sweet vocals. It’s hard to single any tracks out, so I’m simply going to say listen to it all – though maybe pay particular attention to those already mentioned and ‘Silk’, ‘Swallowtail’ and ‘Fluffy’.
This is the kind of album you’re going to want to keep to yourself – though you’ll soon find that impossible – playing only when no one is around on the loudest possible setting for your speakers. Put this one and lose yourself, it’d be a challenge not to. We don’t normally do ratings here at Forte, but this album has gained a 5/5, so that’s worth putting in.
Reviewed by Amanda Sherring
