Indie rock-pop-soul band Oh He Dead unveiled their third album, Ugly, a 10-track body of work that delves into several poignant topics from love, and loss.  The album serves as a counterpoint to their 2023 release, Pretty. Pretty was a poppy, polished affair, while Ugly draws from the deepest emotions from within. The band comprising CJ Johnson (vocals), adding Alex Salser (guitar), Adam Ashforth (drums), Piano Whitman (keys), John Daise (bass), and Colin Sidley (bass) have brought something refreshing and energizing to our earshot so let’s sit back and enjoy what they have prepared.

Off the rip, audiences are thrown into the mix of the action with “John Song,” a soul-stirring piece that explores fledgling love and the tug and pull of emotions between two individuals trying to make sense of what is going on in their heads. At 1:40 seconds long, it serves as an introduction to the rest of the album, capturing the genre-bending style of the group as they deliver a rich, bluesy piece ripe with unapologetic songwriting and soulful vocal runs. Next is the rousing “Tell Me” featuring The Honeynut Horns with punchy rhythm sections, triumphant horn arrangement and sublime guitar licks underpinned by a commanding and emotionally driven vocal performance. Lines like “I just wanna feel your touch/‘Cause everytime I feel a rush leaves me needy on the floor” encapsulate the pining away of feelings for that initial rush of emotions for that special someone. The track is a masterclass in an arrangement as we are gifted with rich pop-rock stylings, a touch of blues and dynamic modern contemporary aesthetics. This is followed by the laidback and bright vibes of “Is It My Love” and the moody “Two Days.” The former delves into the euphoria that comes with love, while the latter is a heartfelt tale of love at first sight and the unexplainable reasons behind human interaction.

 On “Strange Love,” we get a playful and cheerful tone bolstered by rich and bright keys, warm pads and an overall summer vibe. Here, CJ Johnson embodies the spirit of a woman caught in an emotional whirlwind filled with joy while “Artemis” digs deep into her connection to the moon, and the reference to the Greek goddess of the hunt/moon adds an extra layer to the divine feminine theme in the song. On “Moonshine,” the band lead us on an adventure with edgy guitar arrangements, rousing drums and an alluring tale of soul-searching.

The last end of the project shifts with the lovelorn “The Foreigner,” the sombre “Every Last Trail,” and the cinematic arrangement of “Cover Me.” The tracks cover a range of themes, from loss, introspection and self-growth. Once again, the production, arrangement and dynamism take precedence alongside CJ Johnson’s commanding and powerful vocals.

Overall Ugly, is all about the unfiltered emotions that we often seek to hide but this time, the band help us bring it to the forefront.