UUHAI sits in a space somewhere between the groovy, folksy sound of The Hu and the heavier trappings of Tengger Cavalry. The seven-piece utilizes native instrumentation but implements guitars and modern drums alongside their incredible string work and throat-singing. Human Herds plays out like a Mongolian hard rock hits playlist infused with the spirit of the steppes. UUHAI’s debut focuses on protecting sacred nature and preserving the planet. “Ancient Land” stirs imagery of yawning grasslands and imposing mountains, while “Khurai” has the rhythm of a story told around a fire that leads into an epic adventure. Human Herds is rich with the sounds and emotions of UUHAI’s native land. Juxtaposing the natural aesthetics are the warping riffs on the title track, or the infectious backing rhythm guitar on “Dracula.” The band combines these anachronistic sounds with aplomb, although Human Herds begins to sag towards the back half as UUHAI returns to draw from the same well one too many times.
UUHAI has something special when it comes to crafting Mongolian anthems, and tracks like “Human Herds,” “Dracula,” and “Uuhai” epitomize the best of what Human Herds has to offer. While the theming of the album remains strong throughout, and the quality consistent, it does little to differentiate itself from one end to the other. Songs tend to feature similar chorus stylings, prefaced by throat-singing and bolstered by incredible native instrumentation, but the same formula grows apparent across the album. The production generally captures the richness and quantity of instrumentation on display, but some of the best elements, like the backing riff on “Dracula,” are lost in the mix. “Paradise” shows up towards the end of the album and stands out in a back half that bleeds together. The track’s upbeat, poppy, and borderline saccharine sound is a fun and oddly radio-friendly experience that wouldn’t feel out of place playing in the background at a country bar.
Human Herds is hampered by its repetition, and despite the strength of UUHAI as a unit, it becomes difficult to parse out the differences between certain tracks. Alongside that, some of their sound comes dangerously close to what The Hu has already established, and can feel more like a direct copy than inspiration at the worst of times. While The Hu never quite goes as hard as UUHAI (not that either band is particularly heavy), they have varied and unique song structures in a way that Human Herds can’t contend with, making the comparison even less flattering. With such a unique sound, the genre gets crowded quickly, and bands like Nine Treasures and Tengger Cavalry present more variety, and in the latter’s case, a much heavier sound. Human Herds is cohesive if tired by the end, but it makes for wonderful ambient music, which I mean in the most positive way. While it won’t wow you from moment to moment, it accurately captures the mood and aesthetic of UUHAI’s native land in a way that is unique to them.
Human Herds is a solid debut from a promising band, and there is a lot to like here, especially for fans of hard rock and Mongolian music. While the album strains in the back half, I imagine I will still be spinning it as mood music in the weeks to come, and UUHAI’s hard rock stylings help make a space, however small, for themselves alongside similar bands. It won’t have you storming the Great Wall, but it may leave you pondering your place on Mother Earth.
Rating: 3.0/5.0
DR: N/A | Format Reviewed: A STREAM DAMMIT
Label: Napalm Records
Websites: uuhaiband.com | instagram.com/uuhaiofficial
Releases Worldwide: January 9th, 2026
