Pop/Review Ula - So Kind
Formerly known as the leader of the prog-pop project Tenacity, Ula is now launching her synth-heavy, warped pop solo venture with the debut single So Kind. Drawing inspiration from artists like St. Vincent, Allie X, and Aurora, Ula fuses avant-garde flair with melodic pop and eerie undertones. Originally from Poland, she moved to the UK alone at 17 to study at The BRIT School. Since then, she has released original music from a young age and performed at nearly 70 venues across London.
The publication of Ula's first solo single, "So Kind," marks the beginning of a daring new phase in her creative development. Ula has abandoned the multi-layered arrangements of her previous prog-pop project Tenacity in favor of a more personal, synth-heavy sound that is distorted, emotionally unfiltered, and distinctively her own. "So Kind," the lead single on her next self-produced EP “boysulk,” is a bold and aural change.
Dark pop energy permeates the song from the very first note; mesmerizing vocal layering, unusual textures, and saturated synths combine to produce a surreal soundtrack. However, "So Kind" is emotionally jarring beneath the surface. Ula's songs, which analyze a bewildering kindness that conflates warmth with deception, are both frank and vulnerable. Her tone, which oscillates between defiance and tenderness, captures the intricacies of emotional power dynamics with a refreshing candor.
Ula's skillful fusion of sound design and songwriting is what distinguishes "So Kind." The song has a very personal feel to it, but it's also well-executed and deliberate, with every production decision highlighting the words' underlying tension. Her self-production establishes her as a fully-formed artist who isn't scared to try new things by giving the song a feeling of coherence and ownership that many debut singles lack.
Ula creates a powerful first impression with "So Kind." This beautiful, brooding, and textured track sets the tone for an EP that will probably explore the tangled corners of contemporary feeling with substance and style. Ula may be making a fresh start, but she does so with unquestionable talent and a clear goal.