Single Review: Wolf Alice – Bloom Baby Bloom

THE CLEARING

Wolf Alice roar back into the spotlight with their bold and adventurous new single, ‘Bloom Baby Bloom‘, offering fans a thrilling taste of what’s to come from their fourth studio album, ‘The Clearing’.

The Clearing is release 29th August with pre-order bundles available here: https://store.wolfalice.co.uk/

After weeks of teasing, the London four-piece deliver a track that marks a significant evolution from their earlier work. Building on the gritty allure of their debut ‘My Love Is Cool‘, the Mercury Prize-winning intensity of ‘Visions Of A Life‘, and the cinematic sweep of ‘Blue Weekend‘, this latest effort ventures into rich new territory. Produced by Greg Kurstin, ‘The Clearing’ is their major label debut and if ‘Bloom Baby Bloom‘ is anything to go by, it leans heavily into a vibrant 70s soundscape, laced with touches of Latin jazz.

In ‘Bloom Baby Bloom‘, Ellie Rowsell delivers what might be her most captivating vocal performance yet. Her voice is a masterclass in emotional nuance, gliding from ethereal beauty to raw grit in the space of a breath. Every syllable is deliberate, every line soaked in feeling. When she drops the line, “Fucking baby, baby man,” there’s a weary sigh embedded in the word “Fuck” that feels both vulnerable and scathing, before she shifts effortlessly into a delicate falsetto. Moments later, as she confesses, “I’m so sick and tired of trying to play it hard,” she channels frustration with such poise that it feels almost transcendent.

Frontwoman Ellie Rowsell is at the heart of this transformation.

“I wanted a rock song… to sing like Axl Rose, but to be singing a song about being a woman,” she explains.

The result is electrifying. Stripping back her usual guitar armor, Rowsell steps into the spotlight with vocals that channel raw rock power, redefining the ‘girl singer in a band’ trope with unapologetic confidence.

For a comeback track, ‘Bloom Baby Bloom‘ is perfectly chosen. It’s a declaration of growth and resilience, a powerful ode to self-assurance blooming from the mess of life. “But I bloom, baby bloom, Watch me and you’ll see just what I’m worth,” Rowsell sings with a quiet, unshakable confidence. “Yes, I bloom, baby bloom, Every flower needs to neighbour with the dirt.”

The accompanying music video, directed by Colin Solal Cardo, adds another layer of flair. Inspired by Bob Fosse’s cult classic All That Jazz, the visuals are as theatrical as they are striking, featuring Rowsell surrounded by a flurry of dancers choreographed by Emmy Award-winner Ryan Heffington.

After years of refining their sound across three striking albums, Wolf Alice now sound like a band completely in command of their voice and vision. With ‘The Clearing’ on the horizon, it feels like they’re not just back, they’re blooming into something even greater.