English multi-talented and multi-instrumentalist Patrick Wolf returns to the us with a fifth studio album, the follow up to The Bachelor which was released in 2009. So two years on and what originally started conceptually as a double album called Battles where this particularly would have been the second album entitled ‘The Conqueror’, was changed conceptually and retitled to the now titled ‘Lupercalia’ out today June 20th.
The album opens with for me the strongest track on the album ‘The City’, powerful and uplifting with lyrics you’ll be singing for hours after hearing it, it sets a pace and tone for the album that is largely held the entire way through. This was the second single release back in March prior to the albums release. Followed by another great track ‘House’ keeps the pace and builds to a crescendo mixing an infectious toe tapping beat with strings. An extremely strong opening to the album.
‘Bermondsey Street’ continues in the love song them and is another beautifully executed song. ‘The Future’ is a little softer but also more full sounding track that is built up to a musical eruption led by Wolf’s flawless vocals. Armistice takes things down a beat from what so far for a largely love based album has been largely upbeat and life affirming. Armistice shows the more beautiful arrangements that Wolf is capable of. It’s echoing backing vocals so choir like and haunting can provide a chill when listening to alone.
‘William’ is a fifty second filler track which a warbling sounding keys mixed with an Indian sounding vocal towards the end, there truly is no need for filler content on this album and it is probably my only beef with this album. ‘Time Of My Life’ is the lead single from this album which came out in December, this song for me is the “live” track of the album for me (i.e. the track I think would be amazing in a live venue setting) with it’s clapping and striking violin finish.
‘The Days’ is a sadder song, another rare drop in pace with gentle keys and beautiful violin a perfect executed respite from the upbeat catchy material. ‘Slow Motion’ is a blend of a more electronic sound mixed with an Indian style vocal again that appeared earlier on the filler track, this is probably one of the weaker songs on the album but it’s electronic style leads nicely into ‘Together’ which has it’s moments and an interesting string finish but again isn’t up to much as the more electronic elements fail to lift the album to a perfect end.
However ‘The Falcons’ which is the final song on the album is upbeat, catchy finish that you just can’t help but sing along with as the album closes with the same upbeat fire and tempo that it opened with. For me it’s not track for track perfection but it’s ultimately an extremely strong offering from an artist who I find myself questioning how I’ve been living in eight years of complete ignorance about since his debut offering ‘Lycanthropy’.
Lupercalia is out June 20th in all good physical and digital retailers. A 6-track bonus disc titled ‘Lemuralia’ will be released alongside the album online, containing album tracks in demo stages – it will act as an EP companion to Lupercalia.