Review: Uniklubi — Encore (2026)
Caution over courage. The signature sound is fully there, but the creative choices rarely land where they should
Uniklubi’s ninth studio album was released on September 4th via Playground Music. The record took about three years to make, a period frontman Jussi Selo described as a 'three-year project that is finally complete.' While Encore doesn’t try to reinvent Suomi-rock, it avoids falling into self-repetition. The album stays true to the band's signature sound, and although it might not be groundbreaking, it delivers several tracks that truly resonate.
Musically, Encore stays well within the realm of Finnish-language guitar rock—melancholic yet never depressing, driven by heavy riffs and Uniklubi’s signature vocal delivery. While the record feels predictable at times, it never gives the impression that the band is running on autopilot. On the contrary, you can tell the material was chosen and arranged with deliberate intent. That said, not all of their creative choices landed quite as well
'La La Shangri-La' serves as the album's high-energy core. Upbeat and driven by a simple yet infectious chorus, it’s instantly memorable and feels tailor-made for live performances. It captures that exact sense of effortless energy that made fans fall in love with Uniklubi in the first place.
Musically, Encore stays well within the realm of Finnish-language guitar rock—melancholic yet never depressing, driven by heavy riffs and Uniklubi’s signature vocal delivery. While the record feels predictable at times, it never gives the impression that the band is running on autopilot. On the contrary, you can tell the material was chosen and arranged with deliberate intent. That said, not all of their creative choices landed quite as well
'La La Shangri-La' serves as the album's high-energy core. Upbeat and driven by a simple yet infectious chorus, it’s instantly memorable and feels tailor-made for live performances. It captures that exact sense of effortless energy that made fans fall in love with Uniklubi in the first place.
'Unohda mut' is an unexpected curveball. The track introduces country rhythms and an American Western vibe, complete with acoustic picking, wide-open space, and the feel of the open road. While it's a detour for Uniklubi, it’s executed gracefully and never feels like a forced experiment.
'Katso kuinka hän tanssii' is a direct throwback to the band’s early days. It delivers the exact 'return to roots' that fans often talk about: a familiar melodic structure and a characteristic delivery, sounding as if it could have been released on an album a decade ago. Yet, it’s no carbon copy—rather, a deliberate nod to their own past.
Finally, the title track, 'Encore,' brings a puzzling choice in track sequencing by closing out the record, despite sounding like the ultimate opener. It packs everything fans love about Uniklubi: drive, melody, their signature sound, and an energy that could have easily set the tone for the entire album. Placing it at the very end feels either like an unconventional artistic move or a slip-up in the album's flow.
'Meitä ei haluta tänne' kicks off with a solid musical idea—a heavy riff, great atmosphere, and clear potential. Midway through, however, it turns repetitive; the tension becomes overindulgent, and the initial energy fails to build toward anything. The track feels drawn out when it easily could have been much more dynamic.
'Univelka' is a slow, quiet track that runs the risk of feeling dull. While it doesn't fall apart or sound insincere, it lacks that special spark to make you want to hit replay. To put it bluntly, it's a bit tedious—which is bound to disappoint anyone hoping for a more energetic sound from the album.
The biggest letdown, however, is 'Kävelen pois.' A collaboration with members of Blind Channel sounded like a major event, but the resulting track feels entirely lackluster. Instead of the anticipated punch, it feels like the song was watered down, leaving only the most predictable elements. It sounds more like Happoradio material than Uniklubi: the same tempo, the same delivery, but stripped of the emotional density the band is known for. You expect so much more from a high-profile collaboration like this, yet what we got is flat and utterly devoid of spark.
Encore is neither a failure nor a triumph; it’s an album best enjoyed selectively rather than listened to cover-to-cover. While it doesn’t fall apart, it doesn’t quite come together as a cohesive statement either. What we get is a couple of great singles, a few filler tracks, and one clear miss in the form of 'Kävelen pois.' Uniklubi remain true to themselves, but this time around, their loyalty to their signature style feels more like caution than courage.
'Katso kuinka hän tanssii' is a direct throwback to the band’s early days. It delivers the exact 'return to roots' that fans often talk about: a familiar melodic structure and a characteristic delivery, sounding as if it could have been released on an album a decade ago. Yet, it’s no carbon copy—rather, a deliberate nod to their own past.
Finally, the title track, 'Encore,' brings a puzzling choice in track sequencing by closing out the record, despite sounding like the ultimate opener. It packs everything fans love about Uniklubi: drive, melody, their signature sound, and an energy that could have easily set the tone for the entire album. Placing it at the very end feels either like an unconventional artistic move or a slip-up in the album's flow.
'Meitä ei haluta tänne' kicks off with a solid musical idea—a heavy riff, great atmosphere, and clear potential. Midway through, however, it turns repetitive; the tension becomes overindulgent, and the initial energy fails to build toward anything. The track feels drawn out when it easily could have been much more dynamic.
'Univelka' is a slow, quiet track that runs the risk of feeling dull. While it doesn't fall apart or sound insincere, it lacks that special spark to make you want to hit replay. To put it bluntly, it's a bit tedious—which is bound to disappoint anyone hoping for a more energetic sound from the album.
The biggest letdown, however, is 'Kävelen pois.' A collaboration with members of Blind Channel sounded like a major event, but the resulting track feels entirely lackluster. Instead of the anticipated punch, it feels like the song was watered down, leaving only the most predictable elements. It sounds more like Happoradio material than Uniklubi: the same tempo, the same delivery, but stripped of the emotional density the band is known for. You expect so much more from a high-profile collaboration like this, yet what we got is flat and utterly devoid of spark.
Encore is neither a failure nor a triumph; it’s an album best enjoyed selectively rather than listened to cover-to-cover. While it doesn’t fall apart, it doesn’t quite come together as a cohesive statement either. What we get is a couple of great singles, a few filler tracks, and one clear miss in the form of 'Kävelen pois.' Uniklubi remain true to themselves, but this time around, their loyalty to their signature style feels more like caution than courage.
Rating: 6,5/10
- Tuuli TalvinenFounder & Editor-in-ChiefInterviewer