Listening to “Only with You” by Uusikaupunki, you can hear loss in every note from the opening guitar to the closing fade out. The tempo is slow and unhurried, like the kind of pain that creeps in quietly and lingers. As the opening track of their new EP, “Only with You” sets the emotional tone for what’s to come. It’s clearly a breakup song, but it avoids the usual clichés. The lyrics use just a few simple, honest words, paired with vocals that are soft and vulnerable. They sound real and unvarnished, not overly produced or polished. You can tell this wasn’t made for the charts it was made from a place of truth.

There’s a clear line of inspiration running through this track. From Neil Young’s raw takes on love and grief, to John Lennon’s solo work, to the thick textures and gritty layers of Sonic Youth, Uusikaupunki embraces the emotional weight. They let the guitar ring out, allow silence to speak, and leave imperfections untouched. This isn’t about chasing a perfect sound it’s about capturing the right one. The vocals drift slightly off key at moments, but it feels intentional, like part of the mood. It gives the song a live, in the room feel more like something stumbled upon than performed. The production leans heavily on field recordings, unusual mic placements, and re-amped takes. That experimental freedom gives the music room to breathe. It’s not over processed if anything, it’s the opposite. Those rough edges bring it to life.

What makes “Only with You” so special isn’t just the music, it’s the story behind it. Written after a breakup, it captures a deeply personal chapter in Uusikaupunki’s life. The song was recorded in a makeshift studio inside an art gallery in East London. You can almost hear that open, creative space in the mix it gives the track a quiet artistic confidence. Though it’s a solo project, the depth of layers makes it feel like more. If you’ve ever loved and lost, you’ll find a part of yourself in this song. And that’s what great music does it reminds us we’re never truly alone.

Follow Uusikaupunki on Spotify, Sound Cloud, Facebook and Instagram