"The Bowline Knot"

21 April 2023

11 mins

The Bowline Knot

Patrick Wolf has always been something of an artist out of time, and he's suffered for it. Had his first two albums (2003's 'Lycanthropy' and 2005's 'Wind in the Wires') been released today, he would probably have become the darling of Gen Z - a generation who are much more open to experimentation on all fronts, and willing to accept someone doing niche art for art's sake.

As it was, Wolf emerged into an atmosphere of strict genre lines, strict gender and sexuality divisions, and nobody quite knew where to put him. A queer artist not making Mika-esque dance pop, referencing British folklore while wearing outlandish costumes, didn't neatly fit into any one box. He was included on 'best artist' lists out of curiosity, a token nod to diversity of sound while indie by numbers reigned supreme.

Years of bankruptcy, addiction, and other personal struggles followed - all of which brings us to 'The Bowline Knot'. Directed by Joseph Wilson, the short film features two tracks ('The Night Safari' and 'Nowhere Game'), and is a striking watch for new and old fans alike. Its darkly beautiful, unabashedly overwrought, allusion-layered visuals are as Patrick Wolf as Patrick Wolf has ever been.

The artist acts like a master of ceremonies for the damned, slipping through scenes of twisted everyday moments or near mythological depictions of suffering as a connecting thread. There are sparkles in the darkness, wafts of incense, and a boat journey which feels like a trip across the river Styx. The fact Patrick Wolf is still making music is astounding, and the fact said music - and the accompanying visuals - is great is even more impressive.

UK

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