Wunderhorse - ‘Midas’ Review: Long-awaited live favourite sets in motion album no.2
On 10th April, Wunderhorse released Midas, the long-awaited new single from their upcoming sophomore album, followed by a special live show announcement.
★★★★★★★★★☆
Credit: Wunderhorse 📸
With a storming and bluesy guitar riff, Midas is the first single from Wunderhorse since their critically acclaimed debut album Cub in 2022. The triumphant effort saw the band tour some of the UK’s most notorious grassroots venues, alongside huge support slots with Sam Fender and Fontaines DC.
Midas has been brewing for some time, and if you’ve caught them live, chances are you’ve been patiently waiting for it to drop. In a short time, it’s become a cult favourite for their growing fanbase alongside a collection of unreleased material.
What appears pent-up and fiery on the surface is perhaps their most focused to date; lyrically and as a cohesive band effort. Wunderhorse is Jacob Slater, Harry Fowler, Jamie Staples and Peter Woodin.
“The song was written in a bathtub in Paris, and forgotten about until it resurfaced in Minnesota. Midas is the guy who makes you feel like a pencil stub, all used up and nothing to show for it, but it’s always just business as far as he’s concerned.” explains Slater to the Press.
Slater has come a long way since his punk days, now slipping into the shoes comfortably as an accomplished songwriter. Equally, his voice draws comparisons to Bob Dylan and Talking Heads as he explores further genres. There may be a clenched fist of anger, but there’s a maturity in how it’s articulated.
Cub’s intellectual lyricism was impressive in itself, but verses like this demonstrate continuous progression:
‘Stepped inside his office and the whole place seemed to shiver he said
Come a little closer kid, come on don't be shy
I searched to find the fracture in his tombstone facelift
And he fixed me with the coldness of the kingdom in his eyes’
:: Round-Up ::
Midas is a crowd-pleasing release of frustration, and a middle finger to those who make you feel small. And with their life-affirming live performances, there’ll soon be arenas throwing the middle finger too.
Wunderhorse is currently on the road with Declan Mckenna and has a Summer of festival appearances on the horizon.
The band have also announced a Moth Club show on 16th April to tease new material. Selling out almost immediately, you can join the waitlist to secure resale tickets.
