Wunderhorse impress with their stunning debut album ‘Cub’
Following a well-received EP, the band releases an incredible debut ahead of their London headline show and support spot for Fontaines D.C. in November.
Photo: Alex Waespi
Formerly a solo project of Jacob Slater, now a four-piece, Wunderhorse have struck interest amongst music fans since their debut single, Teal, in September of 2021. Cub is a record full of beautifully raw musicality, and captivating songwriting.
Dreamy guitar kickstarts the album on the opening track Butterflies. Slater’s lyricism immerses you into the story of nostalgia within the song, with lyrics such as “too young to understand” and “I remember it perfectly”. Slater has stated how the album is a “sort of documenting of my adolescence” and Butterflies embodies this notion perfectly.
Leader of the Pack couples gritty instrumentals with a wonderfully catchy chorus- “nine times out of ten it’s the leader of the pack/the leader of the pack”. The indulgent guitar solo at the end of the track is a spectacular ending to the title track of their debut EP that gathered much anticipation for Cub.
Slater showcases his stunning vocals on the track Purple. The track approaches a particular vulnerability bound to resonate with many through raw lyrism: “nobody’s noticed the gun at her temple” and “you don’t need to be lonely tonight”.
Atlantis explores themes for meaning and memory in life with the opening lines “I don’t wanna be remembered / but I don’t wanna be forgot”. Influences such as Elliot Smith shine throughout the entirety of the record; especially through the captivating lyrics.
The next track, 17, features a harmonious marriage of drums and guitar that builds up into a crescendo. The track transitions perfectly into Teal, as lyrics on 17 like “don’t leave me here / where it feels like I’m dying” follow the same desire to live as those in Teal: “I’ve got something to leave for, and so much to give”. Teal is the most streamed song on Cub and it’s evident why; the song encapsulates a beautiful exhilaration with bittersweet storytelling.
The vocals on Poppy drift into guitar tones reminiscent of Nirvana’s Heart Shaped Box. Poppy provides a gritty yet refreshing sound making a return to modern post-punk. The guitar distortion near the end of the track captures hints of psychedelia, which adds an exciting flare to the band’s sound.
Beginning in a mellow tone, Mantis progresses into a chorus of drums that allows the song to feel straight out of a soundtrack. These incredible drums continue into the most recent single from the album, Girl Behind The Glass. The more relaxed chorus’ pulls focus to the impressive instrumental talent that Wunderhorse have.
The longest track on the record, Morphine brings a beautiful relaxation to the album before closing on Epilogue. If Cub is a journey through adolescence, the Epilogue is the perfect close to that as it balances the album perfectly with lyrics such as “The boy I left behind”. Wunderhorse show they are masters of building into a stunning finale, with Slater’s vocal passion surging through the track.
This debut album from Wunderhorse demonstrates that they are one of the most exciting new artists to break into the UK indie scene. If Cub is this brilliant as a debut, we cannot wait to hear what is next for them.
Cub is out now via Communion Group.
