What makes Year of the Wolf by Nerina Pallot notable?

'Year of the Wolf' received positive critical acclaim, with many reviewers highlighting its lyrical sophistication and musicality. The album's lead single, 'Put Your Hands Up,' gained notable airplay and helped solidify Pallot's standing in the contemporary pop landscape, demonstrating her ability to blend catchy hooks with thoughtful themes. By the time 'Year of the Wolf' was released in 2011, Nerina Pallot had already established herself as a significant voice in UK pop music with her previous album, 'The Graduate' (2005). This album marked her return after a five-year hiatus and represented a period of artistic exploration following personal experiences that influenced her songwriting.

Who is Year of the Wolf for?

Year of the Wolf works well if you're into introspective moments of self-reflection, warm melodies for quiet evenings and uplifting anthems for personal growth.

How many songs are on Year of the Wolf?

Year of the Wolf has 11 tracks, running approximately 40 minutes.

Year of the Wolf

Nerina Pallot · 2011

40 min · 11 tracks · pop music

A blend of introspective lyrics and lush melodies, showcasing a mature pop sensibility with emotional depth.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Put Your Hands Up — This infectious opener combines an anthemic chorus with a celebration of resilience, setting an uplifting tone for the album.
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If I Lost You Now — This track showcases Pallot's poignant storytelling through vivid imagery, encapsulating themes of vulnerability and longing.
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I Do Not Want What I Do Not Have — With its contemplative lyrics and haunting melody, this song reflects on desire and self-awareness, representing the album's introspective core.
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Grace — The closing track delivers an emotional resonance through its stripped-back arrangement, leaving listeners with a sense of reflective closure.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

54 /100

Foothills

Higher than 43% of albums we've rated

The album balances upbeat and introspective tracks with rich arrangements, showcasing Pallot's lyrical maturity.

What we noticed

The first half of the album features upbeat tracks that establish a lively tone, while the second half shifts to more introspective and slower songs.
Several tracks incorporate layered vocal harmonies, enhancing the emotional weight of the lyrics.
The arrangement often includes strings and piano, creating a lush backdrop that complements the lyrical themes.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 6/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 3/10

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

introspective moments of self-reflection
warm melodies for quiet evenings
uplifting anthems for personal growth
catchy hooks inviting sing-alongs

Maybe skip if you

seeking high-energy party tracks
prefer instant gratification songs

Where this album fits

Career context: By the time 'Year of the Wolf' was released in 2011, Nerina Pallot had already established herself as a significant voice in UK pop music with her previous album, 'The Graduate' (2005). This album marked her return after a five-year hiatus and represented a period of artistic exploration following personal experiences that influenced her songwriting.
Stylistic neighbors: Lisa Hannigan· Bat for Lashes· Imogen Heap