Cry Wolf (Alex Warren song)
2026 song by Alex Warren
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"Cry Wolf" is a song by American singer Alex Warren from his second studio album, Wildchild. It was released with the album on August 28, 2026, through Atlantic Records.[1] Warren wrote the song with Adam Yaron, Mags Duval and Cal Shapiro.[2] Yaron produced the track.[2] The song reached number two on the New Zealand Hot Singles chart[3] and number 49 on the UK Singles Chart.[4]
| "Cry Wolf" | |
|---|---|
| Song by Alex Warren | |
| from the album Wildchild | |
| Released | August 28, 2026 |
| Length | 2:44 |
| Label | Atlantic |
| Songwriters |
|
| Producer | Adam Yaron |
Background and release
Warren previewed "Cry Wolf" in the weeks before the release of Wildchild.[2] On August 6, 2026, the song was played during a TikTok and iHeartRadio livestream event. During the event, Warren pressed a red button onstage after asking the audience whether he should play the unreleased track.[5]
The song was also discussed at a listening party for Wildchild in Auckland, New Zealand, on August 23. Music & Gigs reported that attendees had expected "Cry Wolf" to be one of the highlights of the album.[6]
Composition and lyrics
Holler described "Cry Wolf" as darker than Warren's earlier pop material, noting its guitar-led production, choral vocals and more aggressive vocal delivery.[2] Ratings Game Music similarly noted the song's strings, drums and gospel-inspired choir.[7]
The lyrics concern an ex-partner who asks for forgiveness after previously hurting the narrator. Warren rejects the reconciliation and accuses the person of dishonesty and self-destructive behavior.[2][7] The title refers to the expression "cry wolf", which is used in the song in connection with repeated deception.[2]
Critical reception
In its review of Wildchild, When the Horn Blows called "Cry Wolf" one of the album's standout tracks and praised Warren's more forceful vocal performance and the song's confrontational tone.[8]
Ratings Game Music described the track as a change of pace from the rest of the album and praised its intensity and Warren's lower vocal register.[7] Writing for Los 40, Cristina Zavala also highlighted "Cry Wolf" in her review of the album, noting Warren's deeper vocal delivery and the anger expressed in the song.[9]
Personnel
Credits adapted from Holler.[2]
- Alex Warren – vocals, songwriting
- Adam Yaron – production, songwriting
- Mags Duval – songwriting
- Cal Shapiro – songwriting
Charts
| Chart (2026) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[3] | 2 |
| UK Singles (Official Charts)[4] | 49 |