Mastering the Funk-Pop Groove
UGH! is a standout track from The 1975’s sophomore album, I Like It When You Sleep.... It captures Matty Healy’s signature style: rapid-fire rhythmic delivery mixed with ethereal falsetto hooks. The song deals with themes of addiction, yet the instrumental is bright, funky, and deceptively upbeat.
To sing this well, you need to stop thinking like a ballad singer and start thinking like a percussionist. The vocal lines are tightly locked to the 16th-note grid of the guitar riffs. Let's break down exactly how to tackle it.
AI Coach Tip: Watch Your Timing
The biggest mistake users make on "UGH!" is dragging behind the beat. The verses are conversational but syncopated. Keep your consonants crisp and forward to stay "in the pocket."
Phase 1: The Verses (Rhythm is King)
The verses ("Hey boy, stop pacing around...") sit in a comfortable mid-range for Tenors and Baritones (E3-B3). However, the challenge is the phrasing. Healy delivers lines in short, punchy bursts.
The Trap: Slurring words together. Because the tempo is 98 BPM with a funk feel, if you don't articulate clearly, the melody loses its percussive quality. Practice speaking the lyrics in time with a metronome before adding pitch.
Phase 2: The Chorus (The Falsetto Switch)
The chorus ("And the kick won't last for long...") jumps immediately into a high falsetto/head voice range. This contrast creates the song's dynamic energy. You need to hit notes around F#5 lightly.
- The "Kick": Don't push chest voice up here. Flip into head voice early.
- Breathiness: Unlike operatic singing, this style allows for a "breathy" tone. Keep the soft palate raised but allow air to escape to mimic that indie-pop texture.
- The "Ugh!": This title lyric is more of a rhythmic exclamation than a sung note. Put attitude behind it.
Phase 3: The Bridge and Outro
The bridge features rapid lyrical density ("I'm not giving it up again"). Breath control is vital here. You have very few pockets of silence to inhale. Plan your breaths: take quick "sips" of air after every second bar rather than waiting until you are empty.
The outro relies on ad-libs. Use the Singing Coach AI app to visualize where Healy places his vocal runs so you don't clash with the synthesizer lines.
Frequently Asked Questions
The lead vocal melody hits an F#5 in falsetto during the chorus. Background harmonies may reach higher, but mastering the F#5 is key for a high score.
Not necessarily. The verses are very accessible for Baritones. The chorus requires a strong falsetto, which is a technique that can be developed regardless of your natural voice type.
Focus on your accent and diction. Healy uses a bright, forward placement (mask resonance) and often drops the jaw less than a classical singer would, giving it a casual, "cool" timbre.
