Like its predecessor, Carnival in Babylon, Wolf City is a more conventional recording than the band's earlier albums, with shorter track times and more straightforward song structures.[2] This was likely due to the band's increasing commercial popularity, both at home and in the UK.[1] Despite this, some of the album's tracks, such as "Jail-House-Frog" and "Deutsch Nepal", are still overtly experimental.[3]
The US LP has the sides reversed. Side one begins with "Wolf City" and side two with "Surrounded by the Stars". (However, the covers show the correct track order.)