Mt. Wolf Make Surprise Return - And 'Red' Is The Colour Of The Day

If there is one thing we never thought we would be writing about again it's a new track by Mt. Wolf.

After releasing two EPs, 'Life Size Ghosts' in 2012 and 'Hypolight' in 2013 (see our 9/10 review) and generally considered to be one of the most hotly tipped new bands around, it therefore came as a shock to all when, on December 4 2013, the south London dreamfolk quartet issued this statement:

"It is with a heavy heart we must announce that Mt Wolf has decided to split due to creative differences in the band. It's been the best two years of our lives so it has not been an easy decision and is really upsetting for all of us that this journey has now come to an end. We'd like to thank anyone who has listened to our music, who has come to see us live and anyone who has helped us get this far - particularly to the amazing team we have around us. We will all be working on new projects in music and are excited by what the future may bring, we hope to catch some of you along the way and wish you all the very best."

Seemingly, with time spent apart to pursue other projects and reflect on their "creative differences", they have come to the conclusion that the Mt. Wolf journey is not one that has completely run its course, for today they have announced a surprise reemergence with the release of a new track, 'Red'.

Opening on acoustic guitar, the first noticeable thing as the track proceeds is the male vocal - we are guessing either of the guitarists, Stevie McMinn or Sebastian 'Bassi' Fox - which lends a very different resonance to Kate Sproule's higher pitched etherealness of previous. It's a good move, too. Whilst the familiar electronic touches are still there in the distinct snap and ricochet of electronic bass and beats - the likes of which can be heard on 'Hypolight' for example - they feel less to the fore, with more prominence placed on the organic, though both blend effortlessly and seamlessly to create something quite evocative. The key point is perhaps the yearning, and raw vocal inflection on looped refrain of ‘I’m going away for a long time' - it's the kind of point where one feels a slight tingle along the spine.

Hopefully 'Red' signals more of the same to come from Mt. Wolf.