Thursday 14 January 2016

Ulrika Spacek - Beta Male

Article by Ray Brodrick


Listening to Ulrika Spacek's new release 'Beta Male', it initially reminds me of early Hawkwind or LOOP with its hypnotic, slightly jagged repeating melody. Something buried in the sound makes you feel a little uneasy, like you want it go on and on but at the same time wonder what will happen if it continues. The guitars are fighting and also blending together, building to a crescendo when the lyric comes in with some floaty distortion and tranquility, but again there's the edginess that you've now become accustomed to. Just as you're getting comfortable the guitars are back, stabbing and surging with a delightful assault in your head.

'The Album Paranoia' is being promoted with 'Oysterland', a series of club nights curated by the band, showcasing their first live performances with art installations, and I can see how this would fit with this filmic, hypnotic soundscape. The simple rhythm and beat makes me think of Can, but with a bit of later day psychedelia from Ty Segall in the vocal and the guitar melody reminiscent of Sonic Youth, all played out within their own bubble that welcomes you inside, but you can't wait for it to burst.



Ulrika Spacek's website

Buy: 'Beta Male'

Catch them live:


Friday January 29th - Luxembourg, Rotondes 
Saturday January 30th - Paris, Limbo Festival @ Petit Bain 
Friday February 5th - London, Stag's Head Tough Love Records 
Monday February 8th - Glasgow, Hug and Pint
Tuesday February 9th - Birmingham, Hare and Hounds 
Wednesday February 10th - Bristol, Start the Bus (free entry) 
Thursday February 11th - London, In Store Rough Trade
Tuesday February 16th - Manchester, Soup Kitchen (with Sunflower Bean) 
Wednesday February 17th - Liverpool, Studio 2 





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