Wolf's Law

For the medical theory, see Wolff's law.

Untitled

Wolf's Law is the second full length studio album from Welsh alternative rock band The Joy Formidable. The album was released on January 21, 2013 in the UK and on January 22, 2013 in the US through Atlantic Records.

Writing and recording

Writing for Wolf's Law was primarily done on the road during the twelve-month period the band toured in support of their previous record, The Big Roar. Commenting on the writing process for the album, band guitarist and lead vocalist Ritzy Bryan explained that the songs for the album were approached with vocals and one accompaniment (either guitar or piano) before being built upon, stating "It's all about the lyrics, the voice and the melody". In regards to the writing process the band operate on, bassist Rhydian Dafydd explained, "We always write what's close to our hearts. Every lyric on this album means something - the same as the last record." The album was recorded in various different places in the middle of snowstorms, the vocals and guitars were recorded in January 2012 in Maine, while drums and additional orchestral and choir pieces for the record were scored and recorded by the band in February 2012 in London in which thirteen songs were recorded for the album, the extra song is called 'A Minute's Silence' and will be released as a limited edition 12" single for Record Store Day. Mixing duties for the record were handled by Andy Wallace while the records production was completed by the band.

Theme

The album title is a reference to Wolff's law, a scientific theory by Julius Wolff which posits that bones may become stronger in response to stress as a form of adaptation. According to Bryan, this relates to one of the major themes of the album which is "relationships on the mend and feeling reinvigorated", continuing that the album feels like the band reconnecting with themselves emotionally and spiritually. The album was also said to have been partially influenced by nature, social issues, and Native American mythology. "The Leopard and the Lung" was said to have been inspired by activist Wangari Maathai.

Release and promotion

Three music videos were released to promote the album. The first video to be released was for the albums hidden track titled "Wolf's Law". The song was made available for free download by joining the band's email list. Music videos for "Cholla" and "This Ladder Is Ours" were also released respectively. The album was eventually made available for streaming through Rolling Stone on January 16, 2013. On January 22, 2013, Wolf's Law was made available on CD, digital download, and limited edition vinyl worldwide through Atlantic Records.

"Little Blimp" could first be heard when it was included on the soundtrack of Need for Speed: Most Wanted, released on October 30, 2012.

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Aggregate scores
Source	Rating
Metacritic	73/100
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	link
BBC	favorable link
Consequence of Sound	link
Drowned In Sound	6/10 link
Filter	80% link
The Guardian	link
Pitchfork	7.2 link
Rolling Stone	link
Slant Magazine	link
Spin	7/10 link

Thus far, the album has received mainly positive reviews from music critics. The aggregate review site Metacritic assigned an average score of 73 to the album based on 31 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".

In a positive review by AP, reviewer Paul J. Weber characterized the album as "wonderfully noisy and hooky, shimmering with guitar-pop accessibility." Steven Hyden of Pitchfork compared the album to The Big Roar stating "If anything, Wolf's Law is a weirder, proggier record that explores a wider range of textures and sounds than the relatively monochromatic Roar." In a similar statement concerning the albums dynamics, Arnold Pan of Pop Matters commented, "the Joy Formidable proves on Wolf’s Law that it can create grandeur and awe by letting contrast and touch speak volumes more than overpowering brute force can." The lyrics on the album have also been praised, with Noel Murray of A.V. Club claiming "...the most important trick that The Joy Formidable finesses is to take that sense of grandeur and apply it to today’s world, to ordinary people trying to cope with stress and loneliness."

In a somewhat mixed response, Jon Dolan of Rolling Stone expressed "At times, it feels like they're glue-gunning hot ideas rather than writing fully realized songs, but they've come up with some fine Frankensteins nonetheless." Critiquing the albums production, Jeremy D. Larson of Consequence of Sound noted "Wolf’s Law sounds like it was caught in the Muse Trap", explaining "Bryan’s lacquered riffs on “Cholla” and “Bats” are so pop and polished there’s hardly any friction between her, Thomas, and bassist Rhydian Dafydd". Sam Shepherd of musicOMH stated similarly, "Everything is engineered to sound massive, even the ballads. It is polished to such a degree that it loses the edge that made the band’s earlier work so exciting."

Track listing

All tracks are written by Ritzy Bryan & Rhydian Dafydd of The Joy Formidable

No.	Title	Length
1.	"This Ladder Is Ours"	5:12
2.	"Cholla"	3:23
3.	"Tendons"	4:19
4.	"Little Blimp"	2:52
5.	"Bats"	3:48
6.	"Silent Treatment"	3:39
7.	"Maw Maw Song"	6:47
8.	"Forest Serenade"	4:22
9.	"The Leopard and the Lung"	6:00
10.	"The Hurdle"	3:59
11.	"The Turnaround" (includes hidden track, "Wolf's Law")	9:34
Total length:		52:52

Personnel

Wolf's Law album personnel adapted from the CD liner notes.

The Joy Formidable

• Ritzy Bryan – composer, guitar, vocals
• Rhydian Dafydd – bass, composer, vocals
• Matt Thomas – drums

Additional album personnel

• Joy Smith – harp
• Tercia Realidad – strings
• Jorge Jimenez – violin, direction
• James O'Toole – violin
• Emma Alter – violin
• Henrik Persson – cello
• Xavier Stephenson – drum engineer, assistant string engineer
• Liam Nolan – assistant drum engineer, assistant string engineer
• Sam Wheat – string engineer
• Paul Suarez – ProTools engineer
• Neak Mentor – assistant engineer
• Brian Montgomery – assistant engineer
• Andy Wallace – mixing
• Bob Ludwig – mastering
• Steve Ralbovsky – A&R
• Martin Wittfooth – paintings, album artwork
• James Minchin III – photo (band photo)
• Alex R. Kirzhner – design

Charts

Chart	Peak position
Billboard 200	51
Billboard Alternative Albums	11
Billboard Internet Albums	15
Billboard Rock Albums	16
Billboard Tastemaker Albums	5
UK Albums Chart	41

External links

• Official website