Wikipedia

The Sofa

For the furniture, see couch.
"The Sofa"
Single by Wolf Alice
from the album The Clearing
Released11 July 2025 (2025-07-11)
Length4:26
Label
Songwriters
ProducerGreg Kurstin
Wolf Alice singles chronology
"Bloom Baby Bloom"
(2025) 		"The Sofa"
(2025) 		"White Horses"
(2025)
Music video
"The Sofa" on YouTube

"The Sofa" is a song recorded by British rock band Wolf Alice. It was released on 11 July 2025 as the second single and the final track of their fourth studio album The Clearing through RCA and Columbia Records.

Composition

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"The Sofa" was written by the group members, Ellie Rowsell, Joff Oddie, Joel Amey, and Theo Ellis, along with its producer Greg Kurstin. The group wrote the song in Seven Sisters, London then recorded it at the No Expectations studio in Los Angeles with Kurstin.[1] Poppy Burton of NME described the track as a "contemplative" piano ballad. Rowsell further explained that the song explores the idea of not trying too hard to figure everything out.[2] She also stated that the track addresses her effort to find peace despite plans that did not materialize.[3]

Critical reception

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In his review of the track's parent album, Robin Murray of Clash noted that the track served as "a dose of realism" for the album, noting that it reflects the beginning of the group's career.[4] In a four-star review of The Clearing, Jon Dolan of Rolling Stone compared the track to the "introspective piano pop" of Carole King's work.[5] Will Richards of Rolling Stone UK highlighted the track as the album's best.[6] Writing for Paste, Miranda Wollen described that the track "attempts to paint [Ellie] Rowsell as a happy-go-lucky lazy girl" and compared it to Clairo's "sad-girl charisma".[7] Lewie Parkinson-Jones of Slant Magazine highlighted the contrast between the track’s "smooth-jazz, string-laden" arrangement and its "frank" lyrics, noting that the latter prevent the song from becoming "easy listening."[8]

Live performances

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The band first performed the song as an unreleased track at the Le Nouveau Casino in Paris, France, on 3 June 2025.[9] The show was part of a series of intimate performances held across Europe during the summer of 2025.[10] They performed the song on their headlining tour, The Clearing Tour, in 2025–2026.[11] They also performed "The Sofa" at the Brit Awards 2026 on 28 February, which was described by Max Pilley of NME as "bold and theatrical".[12]

Music video

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Wolf Alice recording the video in Myddleton Road, North London.

The accompanying music video for "The Sofa" was released alongside the single on 11 July 2025. Directed by Fiona Jane Burgess, it features the group members laying on a couch as it moves through the city.[13] The video was shot on 16 mm film across various streets in North London. Regarding the video, Burgess said that when she first listened to the song, she imagined travelling on a train or bus and sitting back, which she later adapted into the concept of a sofa.[14]

The video was nominated for Best Rock Video – UK at the 2025 UK Music Video Awards, which was ultimately won by Wolf Alice's own "Bloom Baby Bloom".[15]

Personnel

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Credits obtained from Apple Music.[16]

Wolf Alice

  • Ellie Rowsell – vocals, songwriting, programming, strings, flute
  • Joel Amey – songwriting, background vocals, drums
  • Theo Ellis – songwriting, bass
  • Joff Oddie – songwriting, guitar

Additional contributors

  • Greg Kurstin – songwriting, production, piano, percussion, strings arrangement, recording
  • Kieran Beardmore – mixing assistance
  • Charlie Bisharat – violin
  • Jacob Braun – cello
  • Julian Burg – recording
  • Zach Dellinger – viola
  • Emily Lazar – mastering
  • Songa Lee – violin
  • Mark "Spike" Stent – mixing
  • Matt Tuggle – recording
  • Charles Tyler – cello
  • Matt Wolach – mixing assistance

Charts

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Chart (2025) Peak
position
Estonia Airplay (TopHit)[17] 91
UK Singles Downloads (OCC)[18] 42

References

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  1. ^ Jamieson, Sarah (14 July 2025). "Wolf Alice share reflective new single 'The Sofa' as taken from forthcoming new album 'The Clearing'". DIY. Retrieved 10 March 2026.
  2. ^ Burton, Poppy (11 July 2025). "Listen to Wolf Alice's contemplative new single 'The Sofa'". NME. Retrieved 10 March 2026.
  3. ^ Sterling, Scott (11 July 2025). "Wolf Alice Unveil New Single "The Sofa": Stream". Consequence. Retrieved 10 March 2026.
  4. ^ Murray, Robin (21 August 2025). "Wolf Alice – The Clearing". Clash. Retrieved 10 March 2026.
  5. ^ Dolan, Jon (20 August 2025). "Wolf Alice Hit an Adult-Rock Peak on 'The Clearing'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 10 March 2026.
  6. ^ Richards, Will (18 August 2025). "Wolf Alice 'The Clearing' review: One of Britain's best bands sound more confident than ever". Rolling Stone UK. Retrieved 10 March 2026.
  7. ^ Wollen, Miranda (25 August 2025). "On The Clearing, Wolf Alice Are Transient and Transitional". Paste. Retrieved 10 March 2026.
  8. ^ Parkinson-Jones, Lewie (21 August 2025). "Wolf Alice 'The Clearing' Review: Sun-Kissed Self-Reflection". Slant Magazine. Retrieved 10 March 2026.
  9. ^ Wilkes, Emma (4 June 2025). "Watch Wolf Alice debut unreleased song 'The Sofa' during intimate Paris gig". NME. Retrieved 10 March 2026.
  10. ^ Pilley, Max (27 May 2025). "Wolf Alice announce string of intimate European shows for summer 2025". NME. Retrieved 10 March 2026.
  11. ^ Wilde, Bree (12 September 2025). "Wolf Alice Kicks Off The Clearing Tour with 25-Song Setlist". Setlist.fm. Retrieved 10 March 2026.
  12. ^ Pilley, Max (1 March 2026). "Check out Wolf Alice's theatrical BRITs 2026 performance of 'The Sofa'". NME. Retrieved 10 March 2026.
  13. ^ Strauss, Matthew (11 July 2025). "Watch Wolf Alice's Video for New Song "The Sofa"". Pitchfork. Retrieved 10 March 2026.
  14. ^ "Wolf Alice 'The Sofa' by Fiona Jane Burgess". Promonews. 15 July 2025. Retrieved 10 March 2026.
  15. ^ "UK Music Video Awards 2025 nominations announced". Record of the Day. 1 October 2025. Retrieved 10 March 2026.
  16. ^ "The Sofa – Song by Wolf Alice on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved 10 March 2026.
  17. ^ "Top Radio Hits Estonia Weekly Chart". TopHit. Retrieved 10 March 2026.
  18. ^ "Official Singles Downloads Chart on 12/3/2026 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 10 March 2026.