It’s been eleven years and the Wolftones are finally back. If you loved what they were doing on earlier tracks like ‘Hot Rod Car’, then you’ll welcome the return of their harp-driven, blues heavy take on the neo sound. For newcomers who might have missed them the first time around, think a whole lot of guitar licks, stomping bass and a motoring blues energy that powers a band who somehow manage to project nonchalant cool at a hundred miles an hour. 

From the opening riff of ‘Broken Heart’, the Wolftones are projecting a built-up confident sound, rich in neo twang that twists and jams through coming out the other side of heartbreak. There’s a gorgeous flow through the whole record, like a guitar thread tying it all together, whether it’s on the choppy, shouted outro to the title track or punchy, almost surf-like instrumental ‘Lone Wolf Rumble.’

Of course, the Wolftones are older and wiser since they last hit the studio, and it’s the slightly experimental quality that really makes this record such a compulsive listen. You can almost hear them stretching their musical muscles through their experiences. As the shoulder-shaking delight of ‘It’s A Kinda Love’ gives way to the cactus fuelled ‘Thunder and Lightning’, we’re struck by just how much they want to present to us. Nearly every song is as catchy as they come, with little line ends and chorus flair that play in your ears, and the modern blues numbers are no exception: just take the cute buildup to ‘Tried So Hard’ that smashes into a scream on the chorus as proof, or the peppy sax touches on ‘Say Baby’.

One of the great aspects of ‘Pentonville Road’ is how much it teases the live experience. A song like ‘Loveless’, which skips and jumps from powerful rocking guitar into harp heavy blues, is amazing as a studio number but it sparks so much intrigue about what it much sound like live, conjuring stage lights at the corners of your vision. Even the more laid back numbers like ‘Working Man’ are bound to translate the rich bass clicks and intricate solos into a fabulous setlist spot. We’re left with the feeling that ‘Pentonville Road’ is only the beginning for the Wolftones’ second time around: there’s a ton of songs which are going to light up dance floors at home and further afield, and as a first experience for those who are new to what the Wolftones bring to the rock n roll table? There couldn’t be a better introduction. 

Kate Allvey

Pick up a copy of ‘Pentonvile Road’ from Western Star Records here