Ugly frontman Sam Goater would be the first to confess their journey has had its share of twists and turns. Having began life eight years in the past as a jangly guitar challenge with himself as the only author, the Cambridge band’s evolution has seen them overcome the pandemic, a hiatus, a whole line-up overhaul and, most significantly, a giant step away from their spiky rock roots.
The British guitar panorama has modified since their inception as effectively. The success of their latest touring buddies Black Nation, New Highway has usually felt like a calling card for brand new names to push forth and get bizarre with their sound in a post-pandemic world. Having decamped to a south-east London studio to work on their debut EP, ‘Twice Round The Solar’, it’s clear that Ugly are throwing themselves headfirst into making a universe of their very personal.
It doesn’t take lengthy for these new beginnings to indicate a willingness to let free, made clear in a manic acapella second that kicks off the EP and brings to thoughts the dystopian horror of Midsommar. As a myriad of 4 vocals spiral by the music, you’re left questioning whether or not to bounce or scramble for the closest packet of paracetamol – nevertheless it’s not lengthy earlier than the voices give method to a extra rewarding jam with spritely All the pieces All the pieces-like vocal strains.
The extra intimate moments are the place this ‘Twice Round The Solar’ actually exhibits its potential, although. ‘Sha’ comes as a meditative folky ballad that evokes the heat and intimacy of Massive Thief or Kurt Vile as Jasmine Miller-Sauchella takes the lead on the EP’s solely observe underneath 5 minutes. The melancholic ‘I’m Glad You’re Right here’ evokes the same sense of consolation as Goater drops a deadpan supply over a soothing acoustic guitar: “Simply one other day in heaven / It’s a paradise of pocket-knives and fortunate quantity sevens.”
The group sound at their most energised on the explosive curveball, ‘Shepherd’s Carol’, which modifications the tempo as a shapeshifting art-rock journey. There’s a hell of quite a bit happening because the observe weaves its method to a climax with yelps of surrealist lyricism: “4-wheel drive, four-wheel drive / Tilled lots of sand, however I can nonetheless see fields.”
Given it’s been eight years within the making, it’s maybe no surprise there’s a hell of lots of concepts crammed into this debut EP. ‘Twice Round The Solar’ is an altogether dizzying expertise, however when Ugly enable for respiratory house amid the chaotic palette, there’s a beguiling magnificence to be discovered.
Particulars
- File label: Self-released
- Launch date: April 3
