Remi Wolf gets dirty with ‘Mud’ funk-pop

Remi Wolf has always been known for singing her feelings with full-throated intensity, evolving from the kaleidoscopic pop-funk of her earlier work like ‘Juno’ and ‘Big Ideas’, into a genre-clash maximalism that dazzled audiences with technicolour. But with her third record, ‘Mud’, Wolf decided to trade the vibrant visuals for something much more raw. The cover, depicting her caked in sludge emerging from a swampy baptism, signaled a significant shift in tone.

This sonic pivot wasn’t just a change in aesthetics; it was an emotional excavation. After navigating the whirlwind of a two-and-a-half-year relationship and the intense demands of touring, Wolf channeled that experience into the album, admitting that the process felt like an emotional cleanse. As she puts it, she felt like she was literally covered in something heavy while writing the record.

On ‘Mud’, the signature winking punchlines have been dialed back, replaced by earthy, rough textures. The album opens with the hauntingly melancholic ‘Bottle’, a track steeped in raw melancholy. This sound is cushioned by crisp electro-snap beats and soft ’80s-style riffs, creating a backdrop for Wolf’s honest lyrics about navigating life’s inevitable bumps.

The emotional core of the record shines through in the storytelling. On ‘Twiggy’, the frustration of emotional unavailability is laid bare with sharp resentment: “You don’t fucking miss me / You just miss your mother”. Breakup ballads like ‘I Won’t Cry’ deliver heart-wrenching vulnerability, with Wolf acknowledging the pain: “I blackout like a dying star”, set to a dragging, subdued beat.

Even when the usual extravagance is sidelined, Wolf’s voice remains the powerful instrument. Tracks like ‘Burn Me Blue’ showcase her versatility, flirting between the soaring rasp of Shania Twain’s country-rock balladry and the soaring tones of Hayley Williams, while John Mayer provides a soft country lilt on ‘Moon So High’.

While some tracks, like ‘Jamie’, offer bluesy vocal gymnastics, the album ultimately serves as a powerful reminder of resilience. Whether you are currently in the trenches or have successfully navigated the storms of your twenties, ‘Mud’ is a reminder that the other side absolutely exists.

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#Big Ideas#Bottle#Juno#Mud#Twiggy

By Lucas Bennett