Is Wunderhorse’s rise spearheading a return to the UK’s indie-rock era?
A stellar debut album, steady progression and an electrifying sound are exactly how the Cornwall-based band will become a household name in the near future.
Blending aspects of rock and grunge, the sound created by the band feels like an old school throwback sewn together with modern ideas, writes Gabriel Mills for Music News Blitz.
A superb lead on stage
It is impossible to talk about Wunderhorse without immediately being drawn to frontman Jacob Slater, whose energy on stage and versatile vocals make him one of the very best.
Having started out with his previous band, The Dead Pretties, in 2017, it wasn’t until 2020 that Jacob formed Wunderhorse as a solo project before he was joined a year later by guitarist Harry Fowler, drummer Jamie Staples and bassist Seb Byford (formerly Pete Woodin).
Debut album set apart from the rest
The band's debut album Cub was released in October 2022, and from start to finish is a treat as Slater gives us an album that feels a more personal insight into the frontman through tracks like “Teal” and “Epilogue.”
As for the sound, the opening track “Butterflies” features a guitar intro with a riff straight from an early Radiohead song, while “Poppy” has a brilliant instrumental to finish the song, which is reminiscent of the sound created by The Smiths.
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Midas strikes gold
2024 saw the release of the next album, Midas, which was met with critical acclaim and set the wheels in motion for the band's success.
The album took a darker turn than the one which preceded it with a raw sound, heavier guitars and lyrics laced with passion and desperation.
Tracks like “Aeroplane” and especially “Superman” showcase the band's ability to take a step back and gift us a slower song that builds up effectively.
Leading a new era
Along with Fontaines DC, Wunderhorse are paving the way for a return to indie-rock and alternative rock as bands like The Royston Club, The K’s and Keo begin to taste similar success in this genre.
As for Jacob Slater and the band, their newest single, “The Rope”, gives fans real excitement and only increases anticipation for the third album.
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