Two years ago I set out on a mission to listen to one album per day. I’m beginning year 3 of that journey starting today, and there’s no album more fitting to kick off 2025 with than Wunderhorse’s debut album Cub. It’s an album that demands to be listened as a cohesive whole, and one of the best representations of the album as an art form that I’ve heard in a good long time.
When I first heard Cub I was immediately taken by how much I enjoyed it. It felt like stumbling onto something pure and refreshingly authentic. There are no gimmicks here—just a band with guitars, a bassist, a drummer, and a singer crafting music with a focus on incredibly strong songwriting. Nothing more, nothing less. While rooted in classic rock fundamentals, Cub is anything but straightforward, blending post-punk touches, 90s alt-rock grit, and early 2000s indie stylings. All of these influences are filtered through some of my favorite artists over the year– the lush psychedelia of Pink Floyd, the emotive storytelling of Neil Young, the raw energy of Nirvana– and exudes a sense of confident restraint that allows its dynamic range to shine, from delicate and introspective ballads to crescendos of cathartic distortion.
Frontman Jacob Slater anchors Cub with a voice that channels vulnerability and power in equal measure, reminiscent of the best frontmen of rock’s golden eras. Tracks like “Teal” and “Butterflies” highlight the band’s uncanny ability to pair haunting melodies with lyrics that linger long after the song has passed you by. And the album’s more expansive compositions, like “Leader of the Pack,” showcase Slater’s guitar work as both evocative and ferocious, pulling listeners into a swirling vortex of sound. Each song feels carefully crafted but yet not overengineered—a rare balance that sets Wunderhorse apart from their contemporaries.
In short, Wunderhorse has delivered a collection of songs so consistently compelling that you can’t help but fall in love with the album. Their ability to navigate emotional peaks and valleys gives the album a depth that will stick with you long after it’s gone.
Standout Songs: “Butterflies”, “Leader of the Pack”, “Purple”, “Atlantis”, “Teal”, “Poppy”, “Girl Behind The Glass”, “Epilogue”
