SINGLE REVIEW: Ugly Jumper – hate me, please

Perfectly straddling the line between utter delirium and hypnotising focus, ‘hate me, please’ feels like an instant indie classic

Merseyside’s local scene is one that increasingly demands attention. From the top levels of arena headliners Red Rum Club, to the top 10 charting Crawlers and metal giants Loathe, to the electrifying fresh blood in the form of bands such as Shefu, Wull, and The Drivers Club, there is simply something that is in the waters these days which can take Liverpool from a city of musical heritage, to a city at the very forefront of the UK musical world.

The latest act aiming to join this new wave is indie outfit Ugly Jumper. Featuring musicians that have already proven their talents via solo and other band projects, everyone on the Liverpool circuit seems to know someone in Ugly Jumper; there’s a subtle yet palpable hype for this band they cannot be denied. And frankly, after this debut, they are thoroughly deserving of that hype to go through the roof.

Perfectly straddling the line between utter delirium and hypnotising focus, ‘hate me, please’ feels like an instant indie classic. Cleverly juxtaposing repetitious riffs with intricate percussion and a desperately ferocious vocal performance, the track ebbs and flows in a hauntingly beautiful way. The musicianship here is fantastic, understanding both the impact of simplicity, and the need for flair, and balancing both aspect perfectly; Loz Riley in particular provides a phenomenal performance, their talent as a drummer truly shining.

Above this musical backdrop, vocalist KC Jade is a simply spellbinding presence throughout, her vocals rising from a tentative quiver to a powerful, strident focal point, dissonance teasing at the edges of the melodies that duck and dive, giving the whole affair an almost theatrical quality. It’s a wild performance that utterly embraces mania, obsession, and self-loathing.

Culminating with a brilliant instrumental bridge that plays each musical element off one another perfectly, and a final sweeping chorus, ‘hate me, please’ comes to rest as a simply remarkable feat for a band at the very, very start of their career. What Ugly Jumper have constructed here is not only sonically relevant, truly capturing the modern indie zeitgeist, but also vividly creative in its interpretation.

This, right here? This is how you start a career.

For Fans Of: Wednesday, Crawlers, Ethel Cain, NewDad, Black Country New Road

Follow the band on social media below:

Instagram // Spotify