Ugly is Beautiful by Oliver Tree
Oliver Tree’s debut album is as bizarre and brilliant as you’d expect from someone who fancies himself both a meme lord and a legitimate musician. With Ugly is Beautiful, Tree manages to toe the line between absurdity and artistry, delivering an album that’s as kooky as it is surprisingly relatable. Equal parts alternative rock, hip-hop, and electro-pop, this is the sonic equivalent of watching a cartoon character repeatedly crash into a wall and somehow come out cooler for it.
Musically, Ugly is Beautiful is a whirlwind of nostalgic grunge guitars, hip-hop beats, and electro-pop flourishes that somehow work in unison. The production feels purposefully chaotic, like Tree threw a bunch of genres into a blender and hit “pulse” just long enough to keep it coherent. Tracks like “Cash Machine” and “Let Me Down” bounce between catchy hooks and introspective moments, while “Bury Me Alive” feels like Tree’s ADHD given musical form—messy but in a way that keeps you listening. It’s like Oliver Tree took every bizarre impulse and dressed it in slick, surprisingly high-quality production.
Lyrically, the album swings between satire and sincerity. Oliver Tree has a knack for throwing social commentary into the mix without making it feel heavy-handed. In “Cash Machine,” he critiques consumerism with lines that are both biting and humorous, reminding you that while he’s making fun of the world, he’s laughing at himself too. “Let Me Down” reveals a softer side of Tree, showcasing a vulnerability that hides beneath all the absurdity, while “Alien Boy” is pure rebellious energy, channeling frustration at societal norms.
“Cash Machine” is an obvious highlight, a sarcastic takedown of materialism that’s impossible not to tap your foot to. “Waste My Time” leans into angsty rock with a blistering guitar riff that feels cathartic, especially as Tree mocks conformity with a wicked grin. “Joke’s on You!” ventures into darker territory with eerie, minor key melodies that make Tree’s pain palpable, showing he can balance humor with genuine emotion.
If the album feels like a rollercoaster, it’s because it is. The pacing has moments of whiplash, bouncing from angsty rock anthems to introspective acoustic moments, but that chaotic energy is part of the charm. It’s not the most cohesive album out there, but it reflects Tree’s wild persona—unpredictable, frenetic, but always entertaining.
At its core, Ugly is Beautiful is about not fitting in—and owning it. There’s a sense of catharsis in how Tree embraces his weirdness, and it resonates in today’s culture of curated personas. Listening to the album is a bit like embracing your inner oddball, flaws and all. Whether you’re laughing along with Tree’s outlandish lyrics or nodding to his unexpectedly raw moments, there’s something here that will make you feel seen.
Fans of genre-blending music, alternative rock heads, and anyone who appreciates a little chaos in their pop will love this. If you’ve ever wondered what a meme would sound like as an album, Ugly is Beautiful is the answer. But don’t let the bowl cut fool you—Tree has some real musical chops, and this album is as much about heart as it is about hilarity.
Ugly is Beautiful is a wild ride—equal parts absurdist comedy and genuine introspection. It’s an album that could have easily been a gimmick, but Oliver Tree proves he’s more than just a walking meme. Is it perfect? No. But it’s perfectly him, and in that lies its charm. If this really is his first and last album (though let’s be real, he’ll probably come back), it’s a ridiculous and bold way to bow out.
