ESSENTIAL LISTENING: Wolf Alice – “Bros”

April 28th, 2015

Nina Corcoran

North London rock group Wolf Alice has been getting plenty of hype in the last few years, but the teens have yet to let it get to their head. The four-piece dart between ’90s rock, moody grunge, aerial electronics, and dusty atmospherics similarly to the Smashing Pumpkins or The Breeders. After releasing several EPs over the past few years and the uber catchy single “Moaning Lisa Smile,” Wolf Alice are finally releasing their debut LP, My Love Is Cool, on June 23 via RCA Records. On that full-length, Wolf Alice return for a record that sees focused eyes on production and tight edits. Deep cut “Bros” is resurfacing to appear on the album, but the new version gives it a brand new feel.

On “Brown,” Wolf Alice outline the joys of your teens, because yes, there actually are some. Lead singer Ellie Rowsel uses her voice for celebratory, light, spirited vocals that capture youth in a way so few are able to do. Her vocals are like the Cocteau Twins merging with a thin, roadtrip-ready guitar line not too far off from The Cranberries’ “Dreams.” “Remember when we cut our hair? We both looked like boys but we didn’t care,” she sings, playing up teenage innocence with a familiarity almost all listeners can connect with (even if you haven’t sheared your locks). It’s a track that will seek multiple plays, both this year and all the ones that follow.

Give it a listen below: