Wunderhorse - Midas
Emerging from a wake of success caused by their debut album ‘Cub’, Wunderhorse return with their sophomore output ‘Midas’. The band’s aspiration to ‘push themselves’ with their latest release is realised, maturing their ever-evolving sound. Whilst ‘Midas’ is a marked step up from their debut, the record remains charming and original.
Focussing on rawness and authenticity, the Jacob Slater-formed foursome worked with producer Craig Silvey (The Rolling Stones, The National, Florence + The Machine) to break sonic boundaries set by their debut.
This sincerity is no-more present than in the album’s title track and lead single. ‘Midas’ attacks listeners ears, recognisable as Wunderhorse whilst adding a welcome freshness to the band’s sound. Slater’s lyrics are spat through walls of guitars, a violent contrast to the track’s regal namesake.
The beauty of Wunderhorse is highlighted in tracks like this; Slater’s lyrics are allowed to shine alongside reasonably rudimentary musical techniques. Production is perfectly judged, allowing instruments to breathe without unnecessary polish. The result is a shining jewel in the crown of modern guitar music, a testament to the band’s on stage presence.
The tracks ‘Silver’ and ‘Cathedrals’ are anthemic masterpieces, with the latter a gorgeous cacophony. Rhythm guitars perfectly clash with the whine of lead guitars appearing throughout the chorus, whilst Slater’s vocals cut through the mix like a knife in butter, feeding the listener an IV drip of angst and passion.
Wunderhorse’s influences are clear throughout ‘Midas’, a beautiful symphony of grunge, alternative and classic rock. The Radiohead-esque ‘Aeroplanes’, the album’s closer, acts almost as a recollection of the past nine tracks of chaos: Wunderhorse have reached the precipice, now they gaze back at their creation. The track is the perfect end to an album packed to the brim with riffs, anger, upset, joy and unbridled talent from each member.
Wunderhorse’s second album propels them into the stratosphere. Sure to be a modern classic, the record is mature and well-paced, rich with emotion and a highly enjoyable listen. ‘Midas’ marks a noticeable development of the band’s sound, whilst maintaining their core elements.
‘Midas’ releases on Friday 30th August on Communion Music.