A Fresh Album And Interview with Uh Oh
- R.A.G.
- 1 day ago
- 7 min read
The latest album from Uh Oh brings together elements of indie and pop rock along with this wave of vastness that sort of sits in the underbelly of some of the tracks. It's a colorful record that gives off so much personality because of the honesty that's displayed throughout the entire thing.
The songs are catchy, fun, vibrant, and a little bit experimental, but there's always that pop sensibility.
No matter what, it's that character you end up holding on to throughout the entire album, and that's saying something because there are so many records these days that have great music but lack that authenticity.
This is one of the more authentic records I've heard in a while, plus some of the songs are danceable, this is bright, and there are more than a few surprises around its corners.
The album is called In The Eye of the City, and it doesn't hold much back, kicking things off with 'Right On Time".
And within the first few lines of the track, you will see exactly what I mean. He just comes right in with this massive honesty that feels completely genuine.Â
Loads of the lyrics from this record come from some real place.
There's some great guitar work going on here, from the clean and acoustic guitars to some of the electric slide guitar action happening that all have the same kind of warm tone to them.
I think this is pretty cool as well. A lot of the record has this inviting sentiment. Like they're inviting you in, and it feels good.
This track also showcases some of the staples that you'll hear throughout the rest of the album. The depth, layers, vast undertones, and cinematic backbones.
Towards the second half of this track, things feel sort of anthemic; like a youthful cry out.
It's got that amazing energy.
This is also important to mention. The record works so well because of the energy levels between the players. At times it feels almost like this album was recorded live, in one room, all at once.
It feels like there's a synergy between everyone and they're just feeding off of each other the entire time.
Even if I'm wrong about how they recorded it, because after all, I wasn't there, listening to this record makes you want to go see them perform it live, in your face.
If they can capture this kind of aesthetic and energy on record so well, then seeing them while I must be great.
Some of the Staples you'll hear on the rest of the record, I suggest listening to the full album.
Aside from the surprises and experimental approaches you hear throughout its course, you also have songs that feel almost like sing-alongs; they can inspire you, and there's more than your average indie rock soundscape to chew on.
"Barely Dreaming" has all kinds of catchy, colorful guitar work; a really vivacious approach coming from everyone in the band, and it's just got hooks embedded in its veins.
The drumming on this record is also killer. The drummer doesn't just sit in the pocket; he drives the band. The drumming always adds liveliness to the songs exactly where they need it.
I think it's the drummer that really helps the songs feel alive and breathing.
"Never Meant for Me" is also a pretty honest single, and gets really descriptive lyrically, which gets me more into the song. It's telling a story, which the singer is very good at, by the way.
This song has an upbeat swing to it, but I feel like it's the way he squeezes in the lyrical phrasing with the beats that make this so damn catchy.
"Blizzard" is one of the tracks that showcases a bit more of that experimental side I mentioned before. The vocals on this track are brilliant. They layer on top of each other, harmonize, and give off these sort of descending Melodies that fade back into the song.
It's also a song that gives you an idea of how the singer lets so much inner thought out for everyone to soak in.
He gives you a lot to think about with these songs. Either that or he's painting a picture for you.
A lot about this record has fewer boundaries than whatever you may be used to, which makes it super addicting somehow.
I think one of my favorite tracks on this whole album is actually the closing one called "We're Alive", which just feels powerful. It's got this impactful and filmic feel that gives off, once again, a very warm aesthetic that invites you along.
This is a track that feels very Lush, full-bodied, and has a damn near Perfect Blend of Personality, color, and hints of edginess under its surface.
It's in stuff like this that you can hear the slew of influences the band holds close to their hearts, and how they bring them together to create something that's got its own atmosphere.
This is definitely a crazy record, and you should not be missing it.
Upon listening to it, I wanted to have a sit-down with the band so I could find out more about where it actually came from and what might be coming up next for them.
So, while you dig into this record, have a read through of our interview with Uh Oh below.
Where did this album come from and what is it about?
Joe: I had a tough couple years… just about every piece of the life I had was upended. The end of a marriage, learning how to be a single parent, moving 3 times in one year, changing careers, grieving what I thought I had set out for me. All of these things were necessary and healthy, but that didn’t make it much easier. So throughout all of that, I leaned on my best friends to help me get through it all. That’s the genesis of the entire album. When I was lonely? I’d find my friends. When I had a weird musical idea? I’d find my friends. When I was squirrely about the future? I’d find my friends. We always try to use our music like a journal, writing down whatever we’re all going through. The songs that came out of this struggle ended up quite a bit sadder, weirder, and more freewheeling and eclectic than what came before.
Mari: Joe had a significant life change in late 2024 and entered a really productive creative moment through the end of 2025. Most of his songs on the record are about his divorce and finding comfort in friends, family, and Omaha nights.
I am hearing several approaches here! Who are some of your biggest musical influences?
Mari: My biggest influences are in the folk realm, such as Gillian Welch and Lucinda Williams. I took a lot of influence in guitar riffs from John Frusciante.
Joe: I think my manic energy found its way into our music more than ever, taking influences from Rilo Kiley to New Order to Fania All-Stars to Motown to Bright Eyes to Petey USA to De La Soul. Rhythmically, lyrically, instrumentally, I have no idea if any of that comes through to a listener, but I know it’s all in the cocktail somewhere.
How did this all start for you as a band?
Joe: Erik (our bassist) and I started the band because we felt like two of the last people in our original high school/college music scene who were still as obsessed as ever with making music. Some of our best friends helped us get the band off the ground, and then when Mari and Jay joined we had all the puzzle pieces in place. This is now our fourth album, and we keep bouncing off each other and learning more about how to create together as a band.
Did you guys work with an outside producer on this one, or was it all you?
Mari: We sent our demos around to people we know, love and trust before we recorded for real, to get their opinions on how each song could be better or which ones we should focus on. But it was mostly Joe obsessing over demos for a year and adding as much as possible, and then subtracting to what is realistic.
Did you record at a bigger studio, or a home DAW setup?
Mari: We recorded it all with an 8-track recorder in Joe’s basement and Jay’s basement, and we got it mixed by our longtime friend Jeremy Wurst at B24 Studios in Kansas City.
Are you performing live right now?
Mari: Yes, we perform live whenever we get the chance! If we get an offer that we aren’t able to take as a full band, Joe and I do acoustic sets with our tamer songs. We have a full band album release show on the books for August 7 at Slowdown in Omaha.
Now that this is out, what's next for you guys?
Joe: We want to spread the word as much as we can. It feels like a new era for us, and we are really excited to share what we’ve been up to. The music world has gotten so wrapped around the online/algorithm world lately, and we want to combat that by being a band by humans and for humans. So we want to hit the pavement, play in front of people, and hopefully if anybody out there likes it they’ll take the step of showing it to their friends. Or at least their pets.
Mari: Joe and I have thrown around the idea of going on a little tour of our acoustic sets to have a little fun and get out of Nebraska. After that, we are going to get right back into writing more music. It’s not really something we can stay away from.
What would you say people can expect from this release?
Joe: Earnest and emotional music that’s heartfelt and original and catchy. We throw all our hearts and energy into the songs, and we try to reflect our lives in the songs that come through.
Mari: People can expect to hear heartbreak and emotion in the lyrics, weird instruments, the patchwork of a full story, and a more complete Uh Oh that puts whatever needs to be released emotionally into music.
Before we go, what would you like to express to fans of the music?
Mari: We’re grateful to anyone who listens at all, and if you like it, share it with others. We’re a band of friends and we want to make more friends.
Joe: This album was written and obsessed over during a never ending series of weird/vulnerable/loving conversations between friends on lonely walks down Omaha streets at night. We hope it comes through that way. We really appreciate anybody who gives us a shot!