Self-described as 'Australia's most unhinged, undefinable and utterly irresistible musical collective', Ukulele Death Squad return with the folk-soul bop 'Cooee' that continues their genre-hopping bravado.
A smooth, luscious jazzy-folk rapid rhythm opens the song, elements of funk-soul created with shimmery percussion and twinkling keys as Alice Barker – co-writer and lead vocalist – questions: "Cooee, is there anybody out there? Or is it just me? Wandering here aimlessly."
The song then vividly bursts to life in cascading tones and layered vocals that brilliantly encapsulate the song's themes, the sonic release unlocking pure joy that's hard to ignore.
"The arrangement in the song itself is quite cinematic," offers Alice, "with the verses representing the drive and hustle of corporate life, and the choruses representing the open feeling of freedom in natural spaces, which was was then mirrored in the cinematic direction of the video.
"We wanted to bring our folk instruments that were evocative of our different cultures and landscapes like the charrango, tin whistle and fiddle to create an 'acoustic drop', imitating house music, inspired by the band Jungle. This inspiration also came through in the focus on dance and movement throughout the video."
Released last month, today scenestr is stoked to premiere the 'Cooee' music video. Enjoy.
The clip commences with tranquil running water as the band acknowledge Country and explain the cultural significance of cooee to the Australian vernacular.
The music video then segues to an office setting featuring our protagonist, who's portrayed by Alice, amplifying all the tedious sounds native to that ecosystem: mundane chatter, buzzing neon lights, incessant keyboard tapping, clicking pens, a squawking fax machine. You know, the sounds of the corporate machine!
Once the song's folk-soul bop crescendos at 11, Alice is transported to a stunning isolated billabong, the release feels all too real, before the video returns to the office setting, Alice trying to escape despite the best efforts of her 'zombified' colleagues to keep her shackled.
"The filming was very physical with some very creative matched cuts and tracking shots, including one where our protagonist has multiple physical confrontations," Alice says.
"There were many takes of crawling, extras falling over and a very dramatic fight scene with a photo of our 'employee of the month' as the weapon.
"The film 'Everything Everywhere All At Once' was a major inspiration behind the chaotic cinematography and matched cuts, absurdist props and costumes (the Post-it note eyes), and the overall pace of the clip.
"We wanted to tell the story of escaping corporate life to nature in an original way – highlighting the over-stimulationand, slow cracking of the protagonist – is she actually jumping between, or is it in her head? Either way she is using the beauty of nature to connect with herself and regulate."
'Cooee' is lifted from their forthcoming EP 'Essentially My Life Is A Disaster', which drops 14 May. It was recorded and mixed at Rolling Stock Studios throughout 2025, and features a mix of new compositions alongside fan-favourite festival moments.
"We love (and are incredibly proud) of these songs, and we're so excited to finally share this piece of our hearts with you," the band posted.
Before they return to Europe in July, where they are underground legends, Ukulele Death Squad will tour nationally this May-June.
Ukulele Death Squad 2026 Tour Dates
Sat 16 May - Lion Arts Factory (Adelaide)
Sat 30 May - Metro Theatre (Sydney)
Sat 13 Jun - Howler (Melbourne)
Sat 27 Jun - Crowbar Brisbane
