Review Summary: A frolic through the fields…
The concept of progressive folk can be perplexing to say the least. When most people hear the word folk, as it relates to music, they might think of sounds that are generally stripped down, baroque in nature and acoustically instrumented. Now, use such a filter when listening to the first couple of minutes off “Twice Around the Sun,” and you might certainly be put off a bit. What initially seemed off putting to me gradually turned to intriguing however when I decided to cast off any preconceived expectations and give it an earnest listen. Now there’s really only two things I’d say you should know before trying this 36-minute “extended play:” (1) the band is Ugly…in name that is, (2) their sound is anything but.
The opening track to “Twice Around The Sun” really encapsulates the Cambridge ensemble’s rather unconventional style. Depending on who’s listening, “The Wheel” can bring to mind any number of possible inspirations for their very unusual mix of chamber pop, folk and progressive rock. The inescapable comparison to Windmill contemporaries Black Country, New Road will surely serve as the default simplification to the band’s rather complicated palette. However, what seems to be unique to Ugly is their ritual performance presentation, largely centered around harmonic vocals, group chanting and, in their own words, chanted “glosslalia.”
By the second act of the opening track do the folk tones really begin to take shape. The rolling of the snare, the strummings and pluckings of the guitars and the wild chanting indeed paint a picture of stomping and dancing upon the fields of a pastoral English countryside. This shows a noticeable contrast to the more emotional and at times unhinged energy of other members of the scene which bands like Ugly are so often compared to.
The next three tracks compose a lovely mix of styles ranging from subdued contemporary indie-folk flair over Japanese Buddhist chants with “Sha” to the swirling, layered choruses of “Icy Windy Sky.” The latter of the two really stands out among the tracks as being the band at their most focused, with a nicely grown intensity and unique harmonizing by the singers. Another standout track is “Shepherd’s Carol,” a cheerfully progressive journey through some of the most enjoyable back and forths by the trio of vocalists as well as some of the more fun performances by the percussion and guitars.
The final two tracks serve as a more somber note on an otherwise upbeat release. Beginning with “Hands of Man,” the BCNR comparisons are the most palpable in the song’s first half before returning back to the band’s more trademark harmony in the second. The final track, “I’m Happy You’re Here,” mirrors this structure again but stretched to the eight-minute mark, making it the longest track of the six. The final two minutes serve as a fine outro to “Twice Around The Sun,” closing out with a familiar Windmill brand of saxophone, lively drumming and slightly agonized vocals. Not a bad closing number but vastly different from where we started with this EP.
Ugly are trying a lot of ideas here and, while not every listener will appreciate all of them, you can’t help but respect their bold fervor. As with many releases to come out of the UK over the last half-decade, the production really helps sell the unique blend of talents this young group possesses. However, just as much can be said for the band’s character through their interesting songwriting practices as well as their joyful stage presence. Though reminiscent of past innovations by their musical peers, Ugly brings enough of their own style to the table to make “Twice Around the Sun” a memorable and unique listen for fans of rock with an artful flare. With so much crammed into their debut EP these six performers certainly have a lot to say for themselves, even if the words don’t always make sense…
