Remi Wolf on the fear of trying something new
Remi Wolf Finds Freedom in the ‘Mud‘
After delivering funk-fueled catharsis with her previous work, Remi Wolf has unveiled her third album, ‘Mud’. This release isn’t just a shift in sound; it’s a profound journey of emotional healing, inviting listeners into a space that is both gritty and deeply soulful.
Wolf sought a different sonic direction for the third effort, aiming for music that felt equally grounded and raw. Her goal was to create tracks that could be played around a campfire—songs that hit you right in the gut. This desire for rawness led her to draw inspiration from legendary figures like Lucinda Williams, Kurt Vile, Paul McCartney, and Neil Young, pulling in the earthy, acoustic grit of the folk and rock tradition.
The making of ‘Mud’ was deeply collaborative and restorative. Wolf teamed up with friends and trusted musicians—Jared Solomon, Jack DeMeo, and Gigi Grombacher—to create a record she described as “very cleansing.” She found that working alongside people who felt like home allowed her to process deep feelings without difficulty, turning the creative process into a meditative experience.
The title itself, ‘Mud,’ became the thesis for the entire project. While the experience of navigating life and heartbreak is often complicated, Wolf found freedom in the messiness. She explored the idea that just as mud is dirty, sludgy, and awkward, it offers a freedom to shed social contracts. It is a symbolic act of purging, allowing her to cleanse herself of latent feelings and emerge feeling like a brand new person.
This journey extended into processing personal struggles, including the shame of addiction and navigating sobriety. Tracks like ‘Bottle’, ‘Champagne’, and ‘Wine Drunk’ speak candidly about coming to terms with past experiences. Wolf shared that this album was a necessary act of self-care, allowing her to embrace the “raw dogging the hell out of life” experience and find beauty in being present.
The album’s sound successfully channels this emotional landscape, achieving what Wolf and her collaborators termed “SpongeBob Ascendance”—music so good it feels like floating towards heaven. The songs resonate deeply with listeners, offering a soundtrack for the highs, lows, and triumphs of life, inviting people to feel their own emotional sludge.
Beyond the music, Wolf has embraced vulnerability, stepping out of her comfort zone to share more of her inner world. Her appearance in the romantic drama Off Campus demonstrated her willingness to step into new experiences, reminding audiences that growth often happens outside the lines.
Looking ahead, Wolf remains excited about musical collaborations, particularly with fellow powerhouse Hayley Williams, with whom she shares a deep respect for each other’s talent. While the path ahead is still unfolding, the sheer honesty woven into ‘Mud’ suggests that Remi Wolf is not just making music—she is living it, inspiring others to embrace their own beautiful, messy truths.
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