London-based Anna Wolf has developed a bit of a reputation for herself when it comes to music videos – often is the case that she drops an arresting visual accompaniment to her haunting musical offerings, and she’s done it again with “FREE”.
Produced by Alex Thomas (Air, Anna Calvi), “FREE” is an anthem of empowerment, exploring themes of self-love, liberation and the courage to break free from toxic relationships.
Wolf’s sound sits comfortably between the likes of Sia and, right at the other end of the spectrum, Johnny Cash. They’re two very different worlds, but she marries them with elegance, making for brilliant alt-pop fusion backed entirely by sultry vocal skill.
Reflecting on the single, Wolf explains, “It’s about the familiarity of a toxic relationship, and the moment of true liberation that comes with self-acceptance.” With its visceral, valve-synth sound, “FREE” is a distorted sonic landscape with this echoing kind of mystique that has Wolf written all over it.
The music video, directed by Wolf herself in collaboration with DOP Paul Fuller, sets out to portray this intensity that she speaks of – the passion of love. Set against striking red tones, Wolf plays a (literal) bleeding guitar, while playful cartoon snippets depict the unraveling of a toxic love.
To call this a repetition of Wolf’s style would be wrong. “FREE” is a reiteration of what she does best, as the singer-songwriter continues to establish a bold, self-actualised discography.
