The Ultra Violets – SEX (2023)
Dubbed “…the best-dressed band I’ve seen in a long time” by The Pigeon Detectives, counting McFly as celebrity fans, and being adored by thousands (millions in the near future) of people singing along to their songs, The Ultra Violets can stand up and say: “we’re f**king awesome!”. Building a reputation for energetic, raw and bold music, this Cornwall-based foursome has played stages at the Isle of Wight, Leopallooza, and Boardmasters festivals. The lads are also turning heads with coverage from various publications (Cornwall Live, Gigslutz, Clunk, RGM…) and airplay from Radio X, Amazing Radio, and BBC Radio Wales.
Formed in 2020, The Ultra Violets can be considered minnows in the music scene, but they are by no means insignificant. From their debut single ‘Romance’ and sophomore single ‘Watergate Bay’ in 2021, the lads are swimming wildly about those pop-rock sharks. Almost two years later, The Ultra Violets return with their new single ‘SEX’ – a song about, well, sex.
Inspired by a tale guitarist Marc Willoughby told frontman Perran Nicholls about his friend’s unfortunate experience, ‘SEX’ delves into the world of erectile dysfunction, both the physical and emotional side of things. Not a particularly comfortable topic to discuss, in fact, it’s often pushed to the side, but The Ultra Violets are unafraid to explore slightly shame-faced topics. Nicholls explains:
“…the line “and I know no one talks about it, so I’m gonna sing about it, yeah I’m gonna sing about it” is about how no one ever talks about erectile dysfunction, so this song is for all the guys who find it a bit too much sometimes. We stand with you… we’ve all been there.” – Perran Nicholls on ‘SEX’
Listening to ‘SEX’ is like standing on the tip of a swirling pool of sound brightly lit with strands of pink, purple, black and green slithering along. The kaleidoscopic pool bubbles and you feel a tingle of joy at the idea of being tossed into the goo, and once you step in it’s an assault on all your senses. From the pounding drums to the soaring guitars and the psychedelic keys, you float along on the mellifluous arrangement. Wistful and slightly whimsical but with a sense of urgency, the charming melody blends with the insistent lyricism. Add Nicholls’ soothing voice crawling into your brain with its intoxicating timbre and you’re completely lost in the sublime single.
Coming up (no pun intended) with a nostalgic psychedelic rock flair wrapped in a modern-day indie-pop package, The Ultra Violets are sonic heroin sending you off on a kaleidoscopic trip in ‘SEX’.
For more from The Ultra Violets, check out their official website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
