One of the most exciting young acts emerging from the UK, Ugly is a six-piece band from Cambridge, featuring Samuel Goater (vocals, guitar), Harrison Jones (guitar), Harry Shapiro (bass), Tom Lane (keyboards, vocals), Jasmine Miller-Sauchella (keyboards, vocals, trumpet), and Theo Guttenplan (drums). Rich, confident, and ambitious, Ugly’s ‘Twice Around the Sun’ EP represents the fruition of the band’s efforts over the last 8 years. Although most of the material on this EP had been released as singles before its official release on April 3rd, bringing all 6 tracks together into one home feels especially fitting.
This 6-track effort strikes a perfect balance between charm and intensity, with each song carrying a unique potency that is youthful, colourful, and always captivating. The band’s passionate art-rock style, which incorporates elements of prog and folk, creates a lush and whimsical sound that remains focused and intentional, and aptly reflects the intricate tapestry of the EP’s cover art. Highlighted by brilliant group and layered vocals, meticulously crafted grandiose moments, and an overall impressive chemistry among the band members, each track on ‘Twice Around the Sun’ holds a distinct power and spirit that enhances the immersive nature of the project. This cohesiveness makes the EP a truly engaging listen from start to finish.
“And as anothеr spring swings by on heavy eyes
Hands Of Man, Twice Around the Sun (2024)
Do you still gasp at your rеflection?
Or does it make your shadow cry?
And while the whys sit on your mind
While the wine is killing time
It seemed like such a perfect way
To spend your past and passing life”
Each track highlighted below:
The Wheel
The opening track wastes no time displaying the band’s chemistry with an a cappella introduction, starting as a slowly developing vocal passage which transitions into a group arrangement that is rich and colourful. The intensity on the track quickly builds with an in-your-face sense of urgency that is driven by unrelenting drum work and finger picking, working in tandem with anxious warnings offered in a chant-like delivery on the vocal side that are brimming with an unsettling pressure.
Sha
Lead vocally by Jasmine Miller-Sauchella, “Sha” carries an elegant beauty that is highlighted by graceful harmonies, challenging and thoughtful lyrics, and its overall whimsical nature. Lyrically infectious, you can’t help but sing along with the catchy refrains riddled throughout.
Icy Windy Sky
Evoking a pilgrimage amidst an impending storm, “Icy Windy Sky” portrays the band weathering actively worsening conditions. Ugly depicts this by again employing their knack for constructing elaborate and grand musical moments, as the song gradually develops with building intensity before reaching a stunning and dramatic crescendo.
Shepherd’s Carol
With complex and rich textures, “Shepherd’s Carol” presents itself in a challenging manner, seeing the band come together from so many different angles, but executing with grace. The depth of the track is impressive, with each element complementing rather than clashing, resulting in a harmonious composition.
Hands of Man
A clear tonal shift in the EP, the penultimate “Hands of Man” is a resonant and astonishing change of pace. Featuring contemplative and melancholic lyrics from Samuel Goater, a highlight of this track is his near-spoken delivery during a stripped down mid-section of the song. Subtle swells build into a cathartic crescendo, further emphasized by powerful group vocals that finally set up the summit. Powerful and poignant, this is one of the best songs of 2024 and a standout on this great EP.
I’m Happy You’re Here
The EP closes with one last display of Ugly’s ability to craft dynamic song structures that are drenched with brilliant vocal arrangements and colourfully textured instrumentation. Opening in a defeated and drained fashion, another shift takes place before the song draws to a close with one final burst. Driven by a passionate vocal display and featuring a beautifully wailing horn, the EP reaches its conclusion in a magnificent way with one last grand arrangement that leaves a lasting impression.
This latest offering from Ugly serves as a statement of their diverse sound and creative ingenuity. Each song seamlessly weaves together raw and emphatic emotion with lush instrumentation, creating a memorable listening experience. This EP undoubtedly sets the bar high, making the prospect of a full album all the more enticing. Ugly’s dynamic sound ensures whichever direction they take next will be exciting to follow along with.
Listen to Twice Around the Sun:
Apple Music | Spotify | Bandcamp
Follow Ugly:
Soundwave Society Music Club 
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