In an era where much of modern music tends to play it safe, ULTAN’s new single Wake Up! kicks down the door with raw, unapologetic energy and something many artists shy away from—conviction. This isn’t just a rock song; it’s a rallying cry. With influences rooted in the gritty sounds of AC/DC, Motorhead, and Bon Jovi, Wake Up! captures the spirit of old-school rock ‘n’ roll while channeling the fire of social awareness and rebellion.
ULTAN, the musical alter ego of Irish-born artist and writer John Paul O’Prey, isn’t interested in simply churning out love songs or catchy filler. As he puts it himself, he writes about “relevant issues that affect us all.” That’s exactly what pulses through every riff and lyric of Wake Up!—a sharp commentary wrapped in heavy guitar licks and no-nonsense vocals. From social justice to climate crisis and the everyday struggles people face, ULTAN takes a wide-angle view of the world and demands attention.
What immediately stands out is how seasoned the sound feels. There’s no fluff—just straight, melody-driven rock with tight rhythm, a pounding beat, and choruses that stay with you. Despite not releasing music or playing in cover bands for most of his life, ULTAN comes across as someone who’s lived with music deep in his bones for decades. That life experience—working-class grit, cultural perspective, and artistic self-awareness—gives Wake Up! a grounded authenticity that can’t be faked.
There’s also a refreshing honesty to the track. It doesn’t hide behind overproduction or genre trends. Instead, it wears its rock legacy with pride, nodding to Jerry Lee Lewis and Eddie Cochran while embracing the heavy-hitting energy of ‘70s and ‘80s rock and metal. And while the musical styling may harken back to classic eras, the message is very much of today: Wake up, look around, and don’t stay silent.
What’s particularly compelling about ULTAN is that he’s not just making music to entertain—he’s here to challenge and provoke. There’s a deep passion in his voice and playing, not just for the craft of music, but for the power it holds as a form of expression and resistance. He’s not trying to be another voice in the crowd; he’s trying to be the voice that cuts through it.
His background in poetry and prose—he’s even published a novel, The Dargan Prophecy, under his real name—shows up in his lyricism. The words in Wake Up! aren’t just strung together to rhyme; they mean something. They’re designed to ignite thought and, if he’s lucky, a little bit of outrage.
Wake Up! is not a glossy, commercial track. It’s loud, gritty, and proud of it. It’s a song by someone who’s lived a real life, done the hard work, and now has something to say—and knows how to say it with volume. ULTAN may be in the latter half of the quinquagenarian club, but as Lemmy said, old rockers never die—they just keep rolling. And with Wake Up!, ULTAN proves he’s not just rolling—he’s thundering forward with purpose and volume.
If you’re craving rock music with soul, edge, and a strong heartbeat of truth, this is a track—and an artist—you’ll want to turn up loud.
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