Patrick Wolf's 'Magic' Masterpiece

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Patrick Wolf is poised to stand along side Kate Bush, Bjork and David Bowie in a pantheon of other-worldly and original musicians with the release of his eagerly awaited third full-length LP, The Magic Position, in late February. Wolf certainly nods to all three of these artists on TMP with Bush-style phrasing on "Augustine," the Bjork-like music box twinkle of "The Stars," and the red hair and sequined costumes of his new Ziggy Stardust-with-a-Disco-Spin aesthetic. However noticeable these influences are, Wolf's transporting and warmed honey voice (most likely a well-oiled machine after several years of touring) in combination with his storytelling and fearlessly joyful yet experimental pop expression makes the album a unique achievement and his first masterpiece. The album opens with the galloping percussion and sweeping violins of "Overture" where Wolf asks the listener to let some "light" into themselves, and then swoops in to offer said light on the sixties girl group-inspired title track,


I know how you've hurt
And how you've been dragged through the dirt
C'mon get back up it's time to live...

To Live
To Learn
To Love
In the major key

Let me put you in The Magic Position
I'm singing in the major key

Wolf successfully prepares the listener for the journey that is the The Magic Position on this one-two punch, just before hitting full throttle with the jubilant first single "Accident & Emergency," a celebration of life lived headlong featuring sampled sirens, the vocal talents of Ed Larrikin (of up-and-coming British band Larrikin Love), and what sounds like a children’s chorus in a blender. Elsewhere, we are treated with Wolf's most unapologetic pop song ever, "Get Lost," an ode to being young, broke and in love.

As one might know, there is no light without a little darkness and Wolf delivers it with a resplendent trio of songs (the bursting fireworks and "Chariots of fire"-piano of "Bluebells," the ghostly "Magpie," and the soaring "Augustine"), which serve as the album's centerpieces. "Magpie" is the true center and features the inimitable Marianne Faithfull as the titular bird, dueting with Wolf amongst a crying violin and shimmering piano. Wolf uses Faithfull's haunting voice to deliver the words of wisdom to the song's "little lost boys" with great effect and her performance makes it the album's standout track.

With The Magic Position, Patrick Wolf has made a classic and sublime pop album that truly sends the listener to his magical world, a feat very few male artists are able to accomplish in the pop realm.

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Pre-order The Magic Position here.

Recommended Viewing:
The video for The Magic Position's second single, "Bluebells".

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