Since the 2010 release of her debut album, The Grime and The Glow, Chelsea Wolfe has steadily become one of the prominent figures in the dark intersection between gothic, doom, and folk. Not only has she amassed a discography without any true blemishes, but she has also transcended to other genres (in her collaboration with Converge in Bloodmoon: I) but also to other mediums (providing music alongside Tyler Bates for the 2022 film X.) So what else is there for Wolfe to do at this stage? Well, this is where She Reaches Out To She Reaches Out To She comes in.
Throughout her discography, Wolfe has showcased an innate versatility, moving without difficulty between gothic rock and doom metal, injecting electronica and ambient influences to craft a holistic vision. The lo-fi beginnings would blossom into a dark folk dimension with Apokalypsis. It would in turn give way to a post-punk and experimental outlook in Pain Is Beauty, which would usher forth some of the heaviest offerings in Abyss and Hiss Spun, relishing a doom metal influence. Birth of Violence returns to a more grounded and stripped-down approach with a stronger focus on the folk lineage, so what is next? Well, now Wolfe turns her sights towards an aspect of her sound that was mostly used as a complimentary part. That is the electronica dimension, through all its trip-hop haziness and industrial menace.
There is a fair amount here that Wolfe takes from the Bristol scene, and it is difficult not to see the influence of Massive Attack as this dark, brooding exploration kicks in. It is a fitting aesthetic for Wolfe, complimenting nicely her gothic roots, in particular through the elusive essence of “The Liminal.” It results in an immersive tour de force, filled with emotion and angst, but without losing sight of her pop sensibility. It is difficult not to be mesmerized by the exquisite hooks, delivered even through the off-kilter practices that mirror the great Portishead in “Dusk.”
In harnessing this duality of the sentimental and the hazy, Wolfe can morph constantly, and yet always deliver something exciting. The intricate ambiance of “Tunnel Lights” is further adorned by a slithering, quasi-industrial rendition, as the pulsing electronic backbone provides a great sense of movement. In a more extreme approach, the slow pace and distorted façade of “Everything Turns Blue” crafts a decadent point of view. And then there is this great sense of restraint that Wolfe shows in moments like “Salt,” always holding back and not allowing the track to blossom into an over-the-top crescendo. It is an exercise in patience, and at the end that is what creates a truly infernal ambiance.
There are further directions that Wolfe follows still. The electronica component does not rely only on the slower, atmospheric pace, but it is also capable of creating havoc. “House of Self-Undoing” sees this energetic side unfold, as Wolfe invokes a more urgent and anxious essence. It can also achieve moments of richer timbre quality, especially showing through the rich tapestry of “Eyes Like Nightshade.” In that instance, Wolfe achieves a double gain, adding more movement to the proceedings, but also enhancing the dark essence of her work. To that same end, the opening track and “Dusk” see Wolfe re-introduce the heavier guitars, resulting in a more visceral presentation.
Wolfe’s new record succeeds paradoxically. On one hand, it radically changes the style. Granted, Wolfe has always been toying with electronic components, but she never fully produced an electronic record. And yet, by doing so, she has still retained the same identity. This is a record that feels like a natural continuation of Hiss Spun and The Birth of Violence and not a work of some new entity. It is all there, the deep emotive quality ushered in through not only a trademark songwriting style but also through an incredible vocal performance, amongst the best Wolfe has ever produced. And in that regard, She Reaches Out To She Reaches Out To She is an exquisite evolution of Chelsea Wolfe and a record that stands proudly next to her finest offerings.
