There’s something electric about watching a band evolve in real time. For Wunderhorse—the brainchild of Jacob Slater—their second album, Midas, marks a bold new chapter. Released in August 2024, Midas takes the meticulous songwriting of their debut Cub and throws it into a furnace of distorted guitars, raw emotion, and live-wire energy. What emerges is an album that feels untamed yet deliberate, personal yet communal—a near-perfect reflection of a band finding their true voice.
We first encountered Wunderhorse as they opened for Sam Fender in Dublin last summer, and their presence was impossible to ignore. Slater and his band filled the stage with a palpable intensity, a promise of something big on the horizon. That promise has been realized in Midas, an album that channels the rawness of their live performances into a studio setting without losing any of its grit or charm.
A Sonic Shift: Embracing Chaos and Confidence
The opening title track, “Midas,” serves as a fiery introduction to this new era. A bluesy riff tears through the speakers, setting the tone for an album that refuses to play it safe. Slater’s vocals are forceful yet introspective as he delivers cutting lines like “The voice inside the suit came crawling through the telephone.” The track straddles the line between melody and menace, a hallmark of the album’s sound.
This intensity continues on “Rain,” where a pulsating bassline and clanking rhythms evoke a sense of unease and drive. Tracks like “July” take the chaos even further, with its crashing cymbals and cathartic screams (“I’m ready to die”) pushing the emotional and sonic boundaries of the record. It’s thrilling, unsettling, and unforgettable.
Moments of Vulnerability Amid the Noise
As unrelenting as Midas can be, it also knows when to pull back. “Superman” provides a welcome moment of reflection, a softer interlude where Slater lets his vulnerability shine. Over a gentler backdrop, he sings, “I wish I could show them the power inside me,” a line that feels like a quiet plea amid the album’s stormier moments.
Similarly, “Emily” captures the daily grind’s toll with lines like “This job is killing me slowly,” paired with gritty guitars and pounding drums. These songs act as emotional anchors, grounding the album’s wild energy in something deeply human.
A Masterclass in Dynamic Control
What makes Midas so compelling is its careful balance of highs and lows. The album shifts effortlessly between explosive anthems and introspective ballads, keeping the listener on edge. Tracks like “Arizona” and “Silver” showcase this duality, blending grunge-inspired guitar tones with Slater’s poetic lyrics.
The influence of bands like Pixies and Nirvana looms large over the record, particularly in its “loud/quiet” dynamics. However, Wunderhorse’s sound never feels derivative. Instead, they use these inspirations as a launchpad for something distinctly their own.
Closing on a High Note
The album’s finale, “Aeroplane,” is its most ambitious track. Clocking in at 8:42, it begins with delicate acoustic plucking before swelling into a cacophony of haunting guitars and wailing vocals. It’s a fitting end to an album that thrives on contrasts, encapsulating everything that makes Midas special—intensity, introspection, and a sense of controlled chaos.
The Wunderhorse Formula: Rawness Meets Refinement
Midas feels like a mission statement for Wunderhorse. After the polished storytelling of Cub, Slater wanted to capture the rough edges and unpredictability of the band’s live shows—and they’ve succeeded. This is an album that demands to be played loud, its imperfections becoming part of its charm.
While some might argue that Cub had a tighter collection of songs, Midas offers something arguably more important: a sense of identity. It’s a record that doesn’t just present music—it embodies a feeling, a moment, a movement.
The Front Row Verdict
Midas isn’t just an album; it’s an experience. It’s a raw, visceral journey that cements Wunderhorse’s place as one of the most exciting bands in British guitar music today. From the fiery riffs of “Midas” to the haunting introspection of “Aeroplane,” this is a record that wears its heart—and its chaos—on its sleeve.
If you haven’t seen them live yet, don’t wait. As they continue their arena tour with Sam Fender, Wunderhorse is proving they’re more than just a support act—they’re a force to be reckoned with.
Stay tuned for more in our Albums of the Year 2024 series, only on The Front Row.
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