Wolf People is a band from UK, formed in 2006. Until now, they had released four albums, and are currently promoting Ruins. Since 2009, they are signed to Jagjaguwar label, the same one that dropped their 2010 debut Steeple. The band is Jack Sharp, lead vocalist and guitarist, Joe Hollic (guitarist), Dan Davies (bass) and Tom Watt (drums).
They call themselves sonic archeologists, mirrors receiving signals from the ghosts of Albion. The band is deeply rooted in mythology, folklore and haunted perspectives, and Ruins is the record where they decided to put all of that to the maximum level. The band is deeply disappointed with political and social elites in the UK and around the world, which is why this album is a conceptual effort to respond to the question – What would happen if people disappeared from the Earth? What would happen If there were only ruins left behind, as the nature would continue to exist, in all its variety and powers neglected by humans? To Wolf People, a man is exploiting Earth and its resources to the point of no return.
Psychedelic and folk rock are the main parameters of their music. Due to the strong mythological matrix in band’s story, the sound reflects as folk, but as guitars deliver the whole record, it makes it sound more psychedelic. Meaning, the storyline is folk and the music is psychedelic.
Ruins of civilization are the epicenter of almost every song. Jack Sharp’s vocal sounds desperate and cynic at the same time. It’s as If he is judging himself and other for the mess we’re in as a human race. Lyrics refer to mythological themes, mostly in Rhine Sagas, Kingfisher and Salt Mills. The opening track Ninth Night serves as a tiny trick at the beginning, since it is slow and folk. The following one, Rhine Sagas bring the psychedelic twist in.
In the middle, we have the core of the record, the song Kingfisher Reprise that directly refers to the concept of leadership. The lyrics deconstruct leaders and affirms spiritual dimension as the one that should be a guiding star for everyone attentive to rule the world. To belong to something more in Belong showcase everything the band stands for, which is figuring out how to live in ruins.
Although the album contains complete disasters, such as Thistles and Crumbling Dais, it is a solid release with substantial narrative and interesting sound. Wolf People is not an eccentric band, but with prolonged attention, you will hear that they are an undiscovered sonic pearl.
