Patrick Wolf - Lupercalia

Patrick Wolf, the mysterious and indescribably eccentric multi-talented musician (his voice, violin, piano and ukulele being just a number of his instruments of choice) releases his fifth studio album on June 20^th entitled ‘Lupercalia’. Known for his electronic classical style and haunting voice and lyrics, with perhaps the invention of his own style of music dubbed ‘folkatronic’, Lupercalia has an undoubtedly more positive feel than the majority of Wolf’s earlier works and hints towards his most accessible commercial album yet with only a whisper of this well known electronica. Finding its name based on an ancient festival of fertility and love, the album is about love with some touching sentiments that, under the direction of another artist could have resulted in cliché.

Starting off with the catchy and upbeat single ‘The City’, a memorable drum beat and distorted vocal sings out ‘won’t let this city destroy our love’. The song boldly announces love availing despite opposition, hinting against the pressures faced by lovers during the recession. Patrick declares their love is so strong he doesn’t care about his partner’s difficulties, ‘Not about the debts you made/ The car we never had / The house we never owned / Darling don‘t look so sad / It‘s about that day we kissed’. Undoubtedly likeable with saxophone solos, overall the song has a positive message that money doesn’t matter as long as you stay strong for your partner and keep a positive fighting attitude.

The second track House is another single taken straight from out of the album, and is a definite grower. Filled with cute lyrics and sentiments, the song and video especially hints back to Patrick’s older much sung about love of nature. Whilst some of the lyrics may have a somewhat cheesy feel, ‘The greatest peace I’ve ever known / Your love makes house a home’, it works in Wolf’s hands and is a favourite of mine on the album.

Bermondsey Street begins with a twinkling harp hook, and Patrick’s cute lyrics ‘She kisses him on Bermondsey Street/ and rises high on the balls of her feet / Declares this the greatest love / of the Century’. Another upbeat song, these first three tracks are perhaps the most commercially accessible of the album for a happy summer tune and the most toned down with Wolf’s normally strong electronic influences.

The Future has a feel more in tune with Wind in the Wires to begin, but with a classic harmony with a female guest singer, creating a sound somewhat reminiscent of Snow Patrol’s ‘Set the fire in the third bar’, with a more positive feel. Armistice takes the happiness down a notch, but is still a romantic and somewhat haunting ballad ‘If you be weak / then I’ll be strong / and the night is long’, with the somewhat bizarre lyrics after this surrounding what I can only interpret as children attempting to come between love. The following William is extremely short, but has potential to be more than just filler; however it is at this point that the somewhat unnecessary and irritating female wailing begins.

However, the album is saved by one of my personal favourites and single, Time of my Life, a definite standout on the album. The string hook that starts is catchy as well as Wolf’s ‘happy without you’ vocals. It is difficult to immediately grasp whether this song is romantic or simply a break-up tune, but the catchy strings and lyrics eventually hold it as Wolf surviving a temporary breakup in his engagement. Clever lyrics and a catchy beat prove this as a possible fan-favourite and again suggestive of possible commercial success.

The end of Lupercalia is much more melancholy, with The Days slowing the pace of the album with a sorrowful feel after the high of Time of my Life. Slow Motion too is a solemn affair, hinting back to Wolf’s depression and loneliness before ‘The kiss of life’. It’s at this point the irritating and out of place female wailing returns again with a somewhat electronic hook. A good song, but that feels especially slow in comparison to the happy tempo of the beginnings of the album. However, Together, with better use of female vocals, strings and a funky beat bring the romantic feel of the album back. The Falcons takes the album back to the feel and style of the first few tracks, and as such ends the album on an upbeat and positive note.

Overall Lupercalia is very upbeat for Wolf, and a refreshing album perfectly timed for its summer release. I predict this will be his most accessible album for those outside of Wolf’s ‘pack’, since the electronic influences usually more prevalent are toned down to the point of almost non-existent, his vocals and lyrics are touching and clever, and overall the instruments well used. A definite grower that can easily be listened to over and over without tiring, I would definitely recommend this album particularly to Patrick Wolf fans.

- Review by Jess