By Colin 
Isle of Wight newcomer ugly ozo has announced her signing to REX RECS. She also shares her intoxicating new effort, ‘onto a winner’, released today, 10th June. This marks a significant milestone for the artist, promising an exciting new chapter in her evolving sound.
The anxious brainchild of artist Jessica Baker, ugly ozo serves as a sonic diary. It belongs to a chronic oversharer, laying bare the most confronting corners of the female experience. The band, comprising Jessica Baker on guitar, her sister Boo Baker on bass, and Tristan Northard on drums, have only been together for a year. Despite this, they have already made a considerable impact on the UK live scene.
Their presence includes debut festival appearances at respected events. Audiences have seen them at The Great Escape, Isle of Wight, Wanderlust, and Outer Town. This rapid rise has attracted early support from press and radio alike. Notable champions include DIY, Rough Trade,, KEXP, Radio X, and BBC Introducing, showcasing their broad appeal.
‘onto a winner’ and the REX RECS Partnership
Teaming with REX RECS, ‘onto a winner’ marks the first reveal from their thrilling new partnership. REX RECS is the new indie label founded by producer Macks Faulkron of REX Studio. This studio is a well-known creative music hub for the underground scene in North London. It has previously hosted artists such as Caroline Polachek, Confidence Man, Daniel Avery, and Picture Parlour.
‘onto a winner’ serves as a direct laugh in the face of modern society’s obsession with perfection. ugly ozo wrote the track in the aftermath of a personal reckoning with self-comparison and competition. It provides a brutally honest, yet sarcastic, take on the social-media-fuelled noise surrounding beauty standards and meeting the male gaze. The lyrics offer a sharp commentary on contemporary pressures.
Speaking ahead of its release, ugly ozo explained her inspiration. “I wrote ‘onto a winner’ from the perspective of someone set on changing themselves to fit into someone else’s ideal,” she said. She added, “It’s about being in a constant pursuit of perfection, and the everlasting desire to alter and ‘better’ yourself as a woman.” The artist further noted the song’s origin: “It was written at a time when my self esteem was super low. I could feel how badly everything I was being fed online was affecting that.”
She highlighted the pervasive influence of social media. “The glamorisation of 90’s thinness and TikTok proclaimed ‘heroin chic’,” she explained, “with new insecurities being created every day for women on social media, was really starting to play into how I felt about myself and my relationships with others day to day.” ugly ozo believes the track touches on widely relatable themes for many girls. She concluded, “it’s so dystopian and dark but done in a sarcastic lighthearted way that I think people remember it.”
ugly ozo’s ‘onto a winner’ is out now via REX RECS and available on all digital platforms. This release solidifies her place as a compelling and authentic voice in the indie scene, unafraid to tackle challenging subjects with wit and insight.