Patrick Wolf’s fourth album The Bachelor, reflects his time and experiences whilst travelling and battling the world around him, his self, his desire and tackling depression and bachelorhood. The album is described as his recovery from a dream which became a nightmare, it documents the dark and dangerous adventures he suffered, enjoyed and resigned himself to as he crawled closer to becoming a subversive pop star.

The man is a musical wizard and in this album he includes a harp, a clavinet, a harpsichord, a guitar, piano, autoharp, organ, mountain dulcimer, clavichord, harmonium, accordion, Theremin, ukulele, harmonica, mandolin, violin, viola and some spoons . The style with which Wolf commands his instruments is impressive, as he varies from electro pop power ballads through to deep and resonant love songs, there is an experimental mix of styles held together with bold classical instrumentation and passionate vocals.

This is Patrick’s most revealing album in terms of the character he is, he says: “This new album is very much who I am and what I’m feeling, giving everything I can, some people won’t get it, some will”. This continuation of his self exploration will follow next year with a second album The Conqueror, which will showcase a new mind and being, since shedding the hedonistic lifestyle for love.

Released 1st June.

By Sophie Stratford