IN CONVERSATION WITH WOUNDER
21 February 2026
Ugly (UK) is a London-based band originally from Cambridge. They take inspiration from 60s and 70s classic rock bands and combine it with their unique, alternative sound. Ugly just released their final single ‘Shepherd’s Carol’ before their debut EP titled ‘Twice Around The Sun’. They have been teasing fans with their tracks since 2022 and are most known for their experimental and always-changing music influenced by choral, post-rock tunes.
Shepherd’s Carol instantly takes you in with a familiar melody, echoing memories of folk-rock instrumental sounds. This melodic bliss lasts for an entire minute before words take over. The vocals are incredible, founded on rich and intricate harmonies that are accompanied by hints of choral influences. The strong instrumental melody returns at the end of the song, almost overshadowing the band’s voices. The production has a hopeful rock sound throughout, reminiscent of A.C. Newman’s Prophets, leaving the listener anticipating what is to come.
Ugly (UK) describes Shepherd’s Carol’s lyrics as a play with ‘pastoral and sinister themes’, adding a more humorous and playful tone to it. The lyrics paint a picture of a struggling, working-class family, unable to feed their children and animals. Even through its dark themes, the final lyrics of this single manage to convey a strong messaging of hope, striving to ‘kill the madame who takes my darkest hour’.
Like many of their songs, it is difficult to pinpoint where the exact inspiration came from. A sentiment that is reflected in the song’s overall sound. The listener is challenged to decipher what they are listening to as all the vocals and instruments form a purposely ambiguous, yet playful sound. An exciting experience that the band hopes to recreate in their upcoming EP.
