Wunderhorse are a band defined by second chances. After the premature demise of punk outfit Dead Pretties in 2017, Jakob Slater retired from music altogether to work as a surf instructor in Cornwall. Over the years the creative itch would gradually return, rekindling his love as his focus shifted from fury to personal reflection in the form of his Wunderhorse project.
In 2022, the band’s introspective debut ‘Cub’ arrived as a collection of hazy, sprawling psych-rock numbers and grunge moments. Two years on we have ‘Midas’ — a purposely raw and no frills follow up that’s more chaotic, vulnerable and gravel-voiced.
Recorded at Minnesota’s Pachyderm Studio with producer Craig Silvey, ‘Midas’ captures the visceral atmosphere of Wunderhorse’s live performances.
This is best encapsulated by July, a track so uninviting and heavy you have to admire the courage behind its release as the album’s second single.
Throughout, there are echoes of ‘In Utero’-era Nirvana (another record cut at Pachyderm) in the distorted guitars and Slater’s self-destructive proclamations. “I’m ready to die,” he cries to end the song.
Silver has Slater confessing to ugly personality traits, contrasted with an emotive-yet-soothing singalong chorus: “Hush now, baby, don't you cry / I know you're singing deep inside / I broke your wings so you won't fly.”
Ironically, the main weak point on ‘Midas’ is the opening title track’s annoying repeatability and sense of ambivalence. That leaves the ensuing Rain to fully grab our attention, which it does by coalescing into a surging anthem brimming with paranoia.
Wunderhorse also excel when turning the temperature down. Superman keeps the listener on tenterhooks through an intimate build-up of tension, while the nine minute acoustic-led closer Aeroplane replaces anxiety with warmth and a sprawling, intricate guitar finale. It may be filled with disillusionment and a raw sense of imperfection, but ‘Midas’ is rarely anything but perfectly enthralling.
Wunderhorse Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows:
Thu October 03 2024 - NOTTINGHAM Rock City
Fri October 04 2024 - BIRMINGHAM O2 Institute 1 Birmingham
Sat October 05 2024 - BRISTOL O2 Academy Bristol
Mon October 07 2024 - SOUTHAMPTON 1865
Tue October 08 2024 - CARDIFF Great Hall - Cardiff Uni
Thu October 10 2024 - LONDON O2 Academy Brixton
Fri October 11 2024 - OXFORD O2 Academy Oxford
Sat October 12 2024 - NORWICH UEA
Mon October 14 2024 - LIVERPOOL O2 Academy Liverpool
Tue October 15 2024 - GLASGOW Barrowland
Wed October 16 2024 - DUBLIN Vicar Street
Fri October 18 2024 - LEEDS Leeds Beckett Students Union
Sat October 19 2024 - MANCHESTER Manchester Academy
Sun October 20 2024 - NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE NX
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