Rising from Katoomba, Australia, Craig Small steps onto the global stage not with a whisper, but with a confident, echoing howl. Released on January 9 this year, “THE WOLF” is an original single that feels carefully crafted and thrillingly untamed. From the first moments, it’s clear this is not just a debut meant to be heard but meant to be felt.
Peter Shilling, the singer, delivers his vocals with control and purpose. His voice doesn’t show excess; instead, it carries a controlled intensity that suits the song’s stalking tension. There’s confidence in his delivery, a sense that every line has been lived in before being sung. And as the track progresses, his performance grows more commanding, never losing emotional clarity even as the arrangement thickens around him. This is a performance that knows when to stay in the shadows and when to step into the light.
Now, at the heart of “THE WOLF” lies transformation. What began over a decade ago as an instrumental sketch by Peter Shilling in GarageBand has evolved into something clear and narrative-driven. Craig Small’s contribution reshapes the piece entirely, injecting it with lyrical intent, melodic clarity, and a striking conceptual twist: the wolf is female. This choice reframes the song’s emotional core, turning it into a story of vengeance, resilience, and feral self-awakening, with subtle nods to the bold, stylized intensity of 90s Japanese anime. The result is a protagonist who doesn’t merely survive; she hunts.
The production of “THE WOLF” is a testament to patience and precision. The track benefits from months of careful layering and sonic refinement. You can hear that time in the details: the way the instruments breathe, the space between notes, and the gradual swell of energy rather than an immediate assault. There’s a cinematic quality to the mix, suggesting wide landscapes and inner battles unfolding simultaneously. It’s in the instrumentation that subtly reveals itself; hints of Tommy Emmanuel’s expressive guitar sensibility surface in the textured string work, while the atmospheric sweep and emotional lift recall the grandeur of bands like U2 without imitation.
“THE WOLF” is more than a single. It’s an introduction to an artist who understands storytelling, dynamics, and emotional payoff. Craig Small Music doesn’t chase trends; he builds worlds. With this release, he invites us into a dark, powerful, and unforgettable one. Craig Small Music has arrived, claws sharpened, vision intact, and voice ready to be heard far beyond the Blue Mountains. If “THE WOLF” is any sign, he is an artist worth following into the wild.
Listen to “THE WOLF” on Spotify
Follow Craig Small Music here for more information
