After their 2022 debut Cub, UK outfit Wunderhorse – helmed by former surf instructor-turned-frontman Jacob Slater – swiftly morphed from indie upstarts into one of the buzziest rock bands of the moment, riding a wave (pun intended) of critical acclaim and word-of-mouth hype.

Their highly anticipated follow-up is a record addressing this newfound clout, with Midas referencing the legendary Phrygian king who was granted the power to turn anything he touched into gold – a gift which ultimately turned out to be the bane of his existence.

They set the scene on the title track and opener, with a fiercely detailed depiction of a silver-tongued suit promising the world, echoing Pink Floyd’s ‘Have A Cigar’ . ‘Silver’, on the other hand, turns the disdain to the self, with Slater painting himself as a numbed sell-out: “So fill me up with silver and I'll sing one just for you”.

Musically, they’ve streamlined their approach, honing in on the scratchy guitar tone that's become their signature. The arrangements are generally less busy too, allowing the songwriting to reach new heights. In addition, Slater’s voice shines throughout. Raw yet finely tempered, it provides much of the record’s dynamism, as evident on ‘July', where, Cobain-like, he growls, “I’m ready to die”.

Refined and ambitious, Midas cements Wunderhorse’s status as one of the freshest and most compelling acts in contemporary rock.

9/10