Wunderhorse - Midas

With such a stellar live reputation, Wunderhorse’s approach for their second album makes total sense: having gone from the solo project of Jacob Slater to a fully-fledged band proper, the four-piece wrote and recorded as a unit, rough and ready, with as little overdubbing as possible. ‘Midas’ is a raw, visceral record that relies on its performance. Where debut ‘Cub’ felt like an indie artist writing rock songs, this feels like a bonafide rock band with a knack for indie classics. The title track sees Jacob attack four chords under a Dylan-esque vocal delivery, barely pausing for breath, while ‘July’ is one of the most scorching, blindsiding rock performances from recent years. Everyone gets their spotlight, with Harry Fowler’s guitar solo on sensitive closer ‘Aeroplane’ or Peter Woodin and Jamie Staples’ dramatic stabs in ‘Emily’ serving to reinforce the band’s cohesion. There are subdued moments, like the soaring high of ‘Superman’, and old fans will not be lost, but there’s something deeper and more primal driving the whole record. ‘Midas’ has the excitement and energy of a debut album, but the wisdom and restraint that comes from experience, making it a touchstone for what a great band can achieve.