As the chaotic frontal lobe of the now-disbanded Dead Pretties, Jacob Slater’s solo debut was inevitable. Wunderhorse’s predictability ends there.

Cub kicks off in restless fashion with ‘Butterflies,’ as Slater dives headfirst into a dark sea of emotional depth. Retrospectively analysing the lingering effects of untouched trauma, from one-sided friendships and betrayal to an underaged sexual experience, Slater’s lyrics gnaw at the barrier guarding unspoken themes. Soaked in Americana distortion, eerie guitars and Slater’s bellowing vocals on ‘Teal’ lure you into a frenzied undertow.

Sparkling shoegaze falls into a grunge undertow on Cub’s opening track, while Slater’s twisted growl and a classic radio-ready Rock hook on ‘Leader of the Pack’ keeps you clinging onto the bridge for a cathartic release, with some help from a seething guitar. He steps into sentimental territory as his vocals soar over the melodic structures of ‘Purple’ and ‘Poppy,’ exuding an ageless resonance harkening back to twentieth century classics.

A product of pent-up disdain, Slater saves a sliver of animalistic rage for the aptly-titled finisher, ‘Epilogue.’ Cub proves itself as a testament to the unique language of songwriting and the therapeutic reverberations of rage-fueled Rock.

Listen: 'Teal'
Score: 9/10

Cub is out now via Communion Records.

Read more album reviews in the new issue of Hot Press, starring The Coronas.