Alexander Wolfe

'From The Shallows' is the record, and the moment, that Alexander Wolfe has been building towards his whole life. A critically-acclaimed debut ('Morning Brings A Flood'), followed by a stripped-down, intimate follow-up ('Skeletons') sets the scene perfectly for this, his third album, and most ambitious recording to date. “The last album... I gave myself limitations. I said to myself: 'no drums, no bass, everything has to be slower than a heartbeat” says Wolfe. “This time I took the limitations away, I gave myself no rules except to serve the song. Because of that there's a lot of big instrumentation, really big arrangements with lots of horns and strings and electric guitars. It was refreshing, it was really nice to do. I just got to flesh everything out.” And that is exactly what the London-born singer-songwriter has achieved, creating an epic, lush and sensual collection of songs which soar and fall from one song to the next, calling to mind the stark beauty of Nick Drake and Bon Iver, whilst also possessing the same warmth and tenderness of Elbow's finest moments - including the musical bear hug of Guy Garvey's vocals. The accompanying musicianship on display is outstanding, with the record featuring a sublime guest vocal from the chart-topping singer-songwriter Gabrielle Aplin on album highlight 'Still Life'. Meanwhile, lyrically, “it's about getting over something difficult and you're out the other end. 'Skeletons' is about being inside something difficult and the new album is about life afterwards. I would say it's hopeful, there's a running theme of hope in what I do... it's a free, forward-looking record.” It's the latest step in a journey that began under his original name of Alexander de Menthon in Woolwich, playing in early bands – including one with the jazz star Jamie Cullum - before the decision to go it alone, taking on the maiden name of his beloved grandmother and selling the only thing of value that he owned: a Rembrandt Lithograph print left to him by his French grandfather, the Count de Menthon, in order to finance his first album. 'Morning Brings A Flood' emerged in 2010 to acclaim from both sides of the Atlantic, with The Sunday Times declaring it “Beautiful”, Q and Uncut awarding it 4 stars and The New York Post evangelical in its praise, stating that it was “The most beautiful album heard in years”. 'Skeletons' released in 2012, was a reaction inward, taking just a fortnight to write, rather than the early lifetime afforded to a debut offering. Now 'From The Shallows' reacts back with its unrestrained nature, which Wolfe cannot wait to take on the road, with an initial, intimate tour in December likely to be followed by a full-scale band show. “We're gonna play the record out properly. I want to make a racket. I was quiet and intimate and reflective for a long time over the last record and the tour that went with that, so I'm looking forward to getting out on the road and making some noise.” As if this wasn't enough, Wolfe has also branched out into other creative areas, composing and performing the soundtrack to 'The Trench', a collaboration with the award-winning theatre group Les Enfant Terribles based on the First World War, which ran this year at the Edinburgh Festival to 5-star reviews and sell-out crowds; this will tour the UK this autumn. 'From The Shallows' is a dynamic, emotional and ambitious record that is begging to be heard live and up close, performed by an artist at the peak of his powers; the next step of the journey promises to be the most exciting yet. "Compelling" **** Q magazine "The most beautiful album I have heard in years. Period" NEW YORK POST "An object lesson in how to wring out every last drop of emotion" *** UNCUT "a beautiful album with echoes of Nick Drake" The Sunday Times "The most beautiful album I have heard in years. Period" NEW YORK POST