Wolf's Law
The Joy Formidable · 2013
54 min · 11 tracks · alternative rock
A sweeping blend of ethereal melodies and driving rhythms, underscored by powerful, emotive vocals.
Top tracks — play these first
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This Ladder Is Ours — Opening the album with a dynamic blend of soaring guitar lines and anthemic vocals, this track sets the tone for the band's expansive sound. Its themes of resilience resonate throughout the record.
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Cholla — This song showcases a more introspective side of the band with its haunting melodies and powerful dynamics, highlighting the contrast between soft verses and explosive choruses.
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The Leopard and the Lung — With its intricate structure and evocative lyrics, this track exemplifies the band's ability to weave complex emotional narratives through their music, making it a standout moment on the album.
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The Turnaround / Wolf’s Law — Closing the album with an epic nine-minute exploration, this track encapsulates the themes of transformation and growth that permeate Wolf's Law while showcasing the band's musical ambition.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong songwriting and production but lacks the standout uniqueness to elevate it further.
What we noticed
- The first track opens with a gradual build-up of layered guitars and vocals, setting a dynamic tone for the album.
- Several tracks feature shifts in tempo and intensity, such as 'Cholla' which transitions from a soft verse to a powerful chorus.
- The final track combines multiple motifs from earlier songs, creating a sense of resolution while maintaining an expansive sound.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- dynamic journey with emotional peaks
- shimmering guitars for reflective moments
- an anthemic sound for sing-alongs
- patient builds rewarding deep listening
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification tracks
- dislike expansive sonic explorations
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on January 1, 2013, Wolf's Law is The Joy Formidable's second studio album, following their critically acclaimed debut, The Big Roar. At this point in their career, the band was building on their initial success and honing their sound, incorporating more intricate arrangements and layered instrumentation into their music.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Wolf Alice· Silversun Pickups· Band of Skulls
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 This Ladder Is Ours 5:12
- 2 Cholla 3:23
- 3 Tendons 4:19
- 4 Little Blimp 2:52
- 5 Bats 3:48
- 6 Silent Treatment 3:39
- 7 Maw Maw Song 6:47
- 8 Forest Serenade 4:22
- 9 The Leopard and the Lung 6:00
- 10 The Hurdle 3:59
- 11 The Turnaround / Wolf’s Law 9:34
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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