A swift solo venture from Jack Wolter of Penelope Isles...
Jack Wolter has been part of the music scene for quite some time now, having collaborated with his sister Lily on three albums with Penelope Isles. They’ve never been a band that relies on hype, but each album has shown progression, highlighting solid songwriting and musicianship. Now, Jack has embarked on a solo journey, releasing his debut album under the name Cubzoa. I've had the pleasure of witnessing Cubzoa live on several occasions, each being a unique experience. The most memorable performances were at The Great Escape in 2024 and 2025. The first took place in a church, featuring stunning animated projections, combined with guitars, keyboards, strings, and beautiful harmonies. The second was in a cozy pub setting: drums, bass, guitar, and vocals powerfully delivering the same songs that were performed with grace the year prior. So, when ‘Unfold in the Sky’ was revealed, I was uncertain about which version of Cubzoa we would encounter. Thankfully, it falls somewhere in between the two.
The album opens with spoken word vocals: “I can’t believe how far we’ve come. And what we’ve been able to do with the moments in our life,” accompanied by splendid strings that soar effortlessly, feeling both light and liberated. Then, a gritty guitar emerges, cutting through a delicate haze, transitioning into captivating dream-pop; Wolter’s soaring vocals kick in and we’re off. The track, titled ‘In 2 Worlds’, showcases two distinct guitar sounds representing these worlds. As we listen, the dream-pop embodies our everyday state, only to be engulfed by a dark fog that brings a sense of bleakness and desperation. Moments later, after an imagined shake of the head, the mood shifts back to a lighter tone. The final third of the song artfully merges the two worlds without declaring a definitive victor in this internal struggle.
Next is ‘Choke’, which is rightly the album’s lead single. Wolter has a natural talent for crafting melodies, and ‘Choke’ is filled with them. The lyrics evoke a story of meet-ups, break-ups, and reconciliations. Some of the album’s best lines are found here: “Pick flowers by the roadside / I’m picking them for you love / And when the push comes to shove / We can go beyond and above…” Wolter’s gentle vocals gracefully float over intricate and delicate melodies.
The standout track on the album is ‘Barcelona’. Unlike any other song on this record, it highlights Jack Wolter’s development as a songwriter. ‘Barcelona’ possesses a vérité quality. Set at the Primavera Sound festival in Barcelona in 2016, it begins with the line “Subway strike in Barcelona," and then Wolter takes us through what feels like a day—or perhaps a couple—of experiencing bands like Thee Oh Sees, Deerhunter, PJ Harvey, and Radiohead. Yet, he presents it in a way that avoids sounding like mere humble bragging: “We had a fight at PJ Harvey, Mainly ’cus, well we were starving,” and later, “You wanted front row, so we could dance to Radiohead. I took your hand, The sound was crap, They’re still our favourite band.” As with his best songs, the ordinary romance is ever-present, concluding with the lovely line: “We walked it home / It took an hour / Too hot to laugh, I took a shower.” It’s a clever, enjoyable narrative wrapped up in a catchy three-minute pop tune.
It's impressive to see how much Jack Wolter has evolved as a songwriter since his emergence a decade ago. He has never avoided pop; indeed, he has embraced it, now managing it with the skill of a seasoned professional. The album thrives on these flourishes. Often, guitar songwriters attempt to create pop songs, which can sometimes fall flat—either sounding dismissive of the genre or lacking genuine commitment. ‘Unfold in the Sky’ shines best when Wolter embraces pop wholeheartedly, engaging with it warmly before taking it for a conversation, a bite to eat, and a drink. At its core, ‘Unfold in the Sky’ is an album that explores themes of love, loss, and redemption. The tracks are both catchy and beautiful, interwoven with strands of melancholy. While they may not sound identical, echoes of Scott Walker’s kitchen sink dramas can be heard throughout. In ‘I’m Lost in You,’ he sings, “I would love to follow you around, Mask all of the truth that tore us down”—it’s both heartbreaking and invigorating. This is an album to immerse oneself in. One can get lost in deciphering the clever lyrics, in the stunning melodies and rhythms, and in the sheer love for music.
8/10
Words: Nick Roseblade
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Jack Wolter has been active for some time now. He has released three albums with his sister Lily under the name Penelope Isles. They haven't garnered much hype.