Wolf Alice’s run of ‘The Clearing’ B-sides and ‘Hit The Sky’
Wolf Alice Releases Folksy Gem ‘Hit The Sky‘ from The Clearing B-Sides
Wolf Alice has recently shared a delightful piece of their back catalogue, adding the stomping folk rock jam ‘Hit The Sky’ to the collection of B-sides from their acclaimed album The Clearing. This latest addition rounds out the collection, which features beautiful and evocative tracks that offer a deeper look into the band’s creative journey.
The new track, ‘Hit The Sky’, is a spirited piece that showcases the band’s knack for weaving folk melodies with rock energy. It features brilliant fiddle playing from James Gavin and includes backing vocals from Julia Cumming, bringing a wonderfully warm texture to the track. Interestingly, this song was originally recorded as a demo during the sessions for The Clearing, demonstrating the band’s willingness to explore ideas even outside the final recorded output.
Frontwoman Ellie Rowsell has shared the inspiration behind the track, explaining that the song is fundamentally about encouragement. “‘Hit The Sky’ is about encouraging someone you love to be themselves, because you can see how fabulous they are!” Rowsell notes that the track represents a journey of self-acceptance and joy.
The complete collection of B-sides is now available digitally, offering fans a rich selection of tracks from the making of The Clearing. The collection also includes other memorable pieces, such as the delicate, piano-led ‘Gospel Oak’ and a cover of The Roches’ ‘Hammond Song’, which featured Julia Cumming and Bria Salmena.
Wolf Alice’s journey has been marked by continual evolution, and their musical development is a source of great excitement for the band. Bassist Theo Ellis reflected on the creative process, noting that making the album was a challenge, and living in a state of constant growth is exhilarating. “It’s about pushing ourselves and there’s still stuff to reach when we play these songs,” Ellis commented.
The success of their work has been recognized across the industry. The Clearing became Wolf Alice’s second Number One album and earned them significant accolades, including a record fourth consecutive Mercury Prize nomination and a BRIT Award. The band’s live presence continues to captivate audiences, having debuted tracks like ‘Hit The Sky’ at the Royal Albert Hall during the Teenage Cancer Trust concert series and commanding huge venues like Finsbury Park.
As the band continues to evolve, they are now set to support Olivia Rodrigo on the opening North American leg of her huge ‘Unraveled Tour’ later this year, alongside special guests including The Last Dinner Party, Devon Again, Die Spitz, and Grace Ives. This ongoing momentum highlights Wolf Alice’s position as a dynamic force in contemporary music.
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