"The Wolf" is a song by English rock band Mumford & Sons. It was released as the second single from their third studio album Wilder Mind on 9 April 2015 and charted in multiple countries. The official music video for the song was uploaded on 30 June 2015 to the band's Vevo channel on YouTube.
"The Wolf" is an alternative rock[2] and garage rock song.[3] The song displays the band's change in sound from heavily folk-inspired to more electric instruments. Most noticeably, the use of the banjo is absent from this song as well as Wilder Mind, the album which the song is featured on.[4]
The official music video for the song, lasting three minutes and fifty-five seconds, was uploaded on 30 June 2015 to the band's Vevo channel on YouTube.[5] Directed by Marcus Haney, the video takes place at the 2015 Bonnaroo Music Festival as the band explores its sights and sounds. It also showcases the headlining performance by the band.[6] In the video the band members are dressed in various costumes; Marcus Mumford can be seen wearing a Robin Hood costume, Ted Dwane in giant chicken costume, Winston Marshall in a wedding dress and Ben Lovett in a fox costume. Actor Ed Helms can also be seen in the video; the actor performed at the festival that year alongside Dierks Bentley.[7]
The single has received positive critical reception. Sputnikmusic labeled the song as a "massive highlight" from Wilder Mind as well as a "beautiful form of alternative rock."[2]Rolling Stone ranked "The Wolf" at number 43 on its annual year-end list to find the best songs of 2015.[8]
^Rolling Stone Staff (December 3, 2015). "50 Best Songs of 2015". Rolling Stone. Retrieved November 4, 2022. The world's biggest string band discovers electricity and uncorks one of their most muscular anthems without compromising a shred of folk-rock heart.
