Glasgow’s ULTRAS have released their official single, You’ve a Foul Mouth John Barleycorn. The track is available to buy via iTunes and stream via Spotify and is lifted from the self-titled debut album, which is due for release on April 28th, 2017 via Hello Thor Records and Instinctive Racoon.
The brain child of multi-instrumentalist Gav Prentice, ULTRAS exhibit a wide range of sucking in elements of hip-hop and electronica to rock, pop and traditional Scottish folk music. You can hear the mash-up of styles on You’ve a Foul Mouth John Barleycorn, a track produced by Miaoux Miaoux’s Julian Corrie, where the layers of analogue synths and beats envelope you. Check out the video for the single via YouTube.
Previous single Napoleon, shows ULTRAS’ versatility as composers. The track is available to stream via the ULTRAS’ Soundcloud page.
ULTRAS’ eclectic take on modern pop music is as challenging as it is rewarding; a twelve track record that confronts the listener sonically and lyrically, resulting in the creation of a sound that has the ability to reach euphoric highs as well as melancholic lows.
Started on the back of the break of up of his former band, cult pop act Over the Wall, ULTRAS set about making a record with the help of six separate producers, an approach heavily inspired by Gav’s love of hip-hop mixtapes. This bold approach has helped to build a sound full of diversity, from the aforementioned You’ve a Foul Mouth John Barleycorn to the warm, emotional, mournful lament on Team Handed, which premiered on Clash and sees Gav reunited with former Over the Wall partner Ben Hillman. Odd-pop maestro Jonnie Common oversaw the chopped up samples and bass of Stepping Out, while on This Is Where I Fall and The Path To Getting Paid, we are hit with the big, alternative rock sounds and tight rhythms produced by Joe Cormack, renowned for his work with Pictish Trail. Here, ULTRAS have created a cacophony of rich soundscapes, emotionally demanding your attention throughout due to its rousing, passionate and, at times, witty take on modern life and culture.
Describing the project as “violent pop for the patronised” the ULTRAS’ live act sees Prentice (beats, guitar, keyboard, vocals), joined by Matt Clark (guitar, bass) and Roy Mohan Shearer (drums, keyboard). The project has already gained support from a number of notable music industry figures with coverage coming from Simon Raymonde and Jim Gellatly on Amazing Radio, Tom Robinson’s BBC Radio 6 show, Vic Galloway on BBC Radio Scotland as well as Goldflakepaint, Song by Toad and Podcart. ULTRAS are currently arranging a tour for May 2017, following on from their successful appearances at The Great Escape, and Wickerman festival as well as supporting the likes of We Were Promised Jetpacks and Admiral Fallow.
