People speak of Lady Gaga as the first since Madonna to successfully infuse great pop music with inspired pop style. This argument can be retorted simply with two words: Patrick Wolf. Talent does not separate the Gaga from the Wolf, rather media attention, fan base, sex and nationality. So why is it that with a sensational pop album in Lupercalia and his previous efforts has no-one asked Mr Wolf when his time was? Granted his last effort, The Bachelor was given mixed reviews with some stating its striking lack of focus. With this album, he returns triumphantly, not as an immature pop star but as an intelligent artist. Past aside, his time is now.
The album begins on a something of an 80’s platform with its second single ‘The City’. Its subject matter is much of the same in pop: striving for love, preserving against all love with your city lover. But something in the song’s heavy instrumentation and Wolf’s shaky and true deliverance, injects a sense of originality. We could all be fooled. For all we know, Martin Kemp (aka Steve Owen for all the Eastenders aficionados) could be playing the Saxophone ala Spandau Ballet and I still wouldn’t care. ‘Time of My Life’, is an album high point. A grand orchestral pop song made to awaken those in a dark state to the light. Throughout the album, Wolf affirms his knowledge of all aspects of pop music: from construction and lyricism; image and sound.
Despite the album exuding happiness overall, there are some darker tracks still treated with the same delicacy as the others and thus aiding the overall structure of the album. ‘The Days’ is a particular high point. “Have we gone too far / Or did we get too close” Wolf asks as violins are played in the background. What Wolf is good at is creating an image in the listener’s mind’s eye. He plays at all your senses: seeing colours as though you have synaesthesia, touching the notes, feeling his emotions or transporting you to where his imaginations lie. ‘Slow Motion’ another darker song uses meanderings sounds of Arabian song to highlight sensitivity as he sings on repeat “wake me up from that deep sleep darling”.
Lupercalia was a Greek festival occurring around Valentine’s Day. It was a festival of purification and joy bringing fertility and love to all its attendees. Perhaps this album was cleansing for Patrick Wolf, dealing with the stresses and strains of life but who was purified. He calls this album a ‘festival of love’ but it’s also a great album. It is well structured, engineered and most importantly performed, even on CD. An album showing experience, emotional growth and personality, he has produced one of the best of the year.
Stereoboard Rating: 8/10
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The album begins on a something of an 80’s platform with its second single ‘The City’. Its subject matter is much of the same in pop: striving for love, preserving against all love with your city lover. But something in the song’s heavy instrumentation and Wolf’s shaky and true deliverance, injects a sense of originality. We could all be fooled. For all we know, Martin Kemp (aka Steve Owen for all the Eastenders aficionados) could be playing the Saxophone ala Spandau Ballet and I still wouldn’t care. ‘Time of My Life’, is an album high point. A grand orchestral pop song made to awaken those in a dark state to the light. Throughout the album, Wolf affirms his knowledge of all aspects of pop music: from construction and lyricism; image and sound. 
