There’s a little part of all second albums that suggests they exist to prove the debut wasn’t a fluke, something that’s perhaps more pointed here given Finn Wolfhard’s fame as an actor first, musician second. But ‘Fire From The Hip’ does something far more interesting than simply underlining any early promise, revealing that a post-Stranger Things Wolfhard’s greatest strength lies not with being a solo star, but a bandleader.
The further the album drifts from the slacker-rock and power-pop Wolfhard has seemed intent on making, the better it becomes. Time and again, the dusty Americana and indie-folk of Wednesday or Ratboys proves a far more natural home for his candid, hyper-specific songwriting, allowing his reflections on loneliness, growing up and finding his way time to breathe.
The opening stretch of songs falls into the former category, rarely rising beyond “pretty good”. I'll Let You Finish, Common Side Effects and Tunnels wear their Pavement and Alvvays influences proudly, all fuzzy guitars and breezy hooks that disappear from memory almost as quickly as they arrived.
Everything changes with Lights Go Down. Here, vocals from Lunar Vacation’s Gep Repasky transform the record. Some honey-sweet harmonies elevate Wolfhard’s sharpest lyrics further, while Follow and Trail only strengthen the feeling that these songs flourish when shared.
By the time Crater, Nice To Meet You Again and The Climb (Not That One) arrive, Wolfhard has fully embraced warm-hearted indie-folk, richer arrangements and the album’s most memorable melodies. The chemistry between him, Repasky and members of Chicago’s Twin Peaks, who provide much of the backing, is so effortless that it’s difficult not to wonder whether ‘Fire From The Hip’ is in fact a blueprint for a supergroup.
Still, not every songwriting exercise lands. Oscilloscope feels like an unnecessary diversion, and too many early choruses settle for passable rather than unforgettable. But that’s also what makes the album so intriguing. With its gradual embrace of an approach that feels like a perfect fit, ‘Fire From The Hip’ comes off like a slowly dawning realisation — it leaves you desperately hoping these talented friends disappear afterwards and start a band together.
Finn Wolfhard Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows:
Fri July 17 2026 - WASHINGTON District of Columbia - 930 Club at The Atlantis Complex (USA)
Sat July 18 2026 - PHILADELPHIA Pennsylvania - Union Transfer (USA)
Tue July 21 2026 - NEW YORK New York - Webster Hall - Complex (USA)
Wed July 22 2026 - BOSTON Massachusetts - Royale Boston (USA)
Fri July 24 2026 - TORONTO Ontario - Opera House Toronto (Canada)
Sat July 25 2026 - DETROIT Michigan - Saint Andrews Hall - Complex (USA)
Tue July 28 2026 - INDIANAPOLIS Indiana - HI-FI Annex at The HI-FI - Complex (USA)
Thu July 30 2026 - CHICAGO Illinois - Subterranean (USA)
Tue October 06 2026 - ATLANTA Georgia - Variety Playhouse (USA)
Wed October 07 2026 - CHARLOTTE North Carolina - Underground (USA)
Thu October 08 2026 - NASHVILLE Tennessee - Basement East (USA)
Mon October 12 2026 - PHOENIX Arizona - Crescent Ballroom (USA)
Tue October 13 2026 - LOS ANGELES California - Fonda Theatre (USA)
Wed October 14 2026 - SAN FRANCISCO California - Castro Theatre (USA)
Fri October 16 2026 - PORTLAND Oregon - Hawthorne Theatre - Complex (USA)
Sat October 17 2026 - PORTLAND Oregon - Hawthorne Theatre (USA)
Sun October 18 2026 - SEATTLE Washington - Showbox (USA)
Tue October 20 2026 - VANCOUVER British Columbia - Commodore Ballroom (Canada)
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