Sundara Karma have released their debut album ‘Youth is Only Ever Fun in Retrospect’. The quartet have been blasting out massive tunes and creating their own brand of sophisticated inventive tunes that capture youthfulness in all its glory, while showcasing intelligent musicianship with lyrical depth beyond their years. ‘Youth is Only Ever Fun in Retrospect’ brightens up theses winter days and transports you to Sundara Karma’s world of fiery raging emotions and intense spirited tracks that evoke blazing hot summery sticky vibes and a hopeful bright atmosphere. ‘A Young Understanding’ kicks of the album with an overwhelming swarm of crashing percussion and a shredding riff that pierces and cuts with razor sharp sting. Lulu’s vibrant and charismatic vocals lifts you up and pulls you into every word. With darker deep undertones the complicated low times of youth is expressed to us in a fantastically anthemic way that only Sundara Karma can do so well. Featuring throbbing bass and swift tempo its a winner that will hook you into the album and keep you listening. ‘Loveblood’ follows with combustive energy bursting with crisp shrill and fizz on guitars that drive the track to victory. Teamed with explosive percussion this track shatters all in its path. Massive anthem arena worthy vibes and dynamic vocals, its a frenzy causing manic track that is made for the intensity of the pit at a live show. ‘Olympia’ which was our worth a listen track a few months ago, is the kind of track you fall in love with as it sweeps you off your feet and pulls out your heartache and joy-filled memories. Its melancholic-drenched melody, wrapped in anthemic adrenaline beckons you to sing along with sweet nostalgia. Lulu’s control of his powerful vocals is mesmerising as he adds a velvety smooth quality that is soothing and touching while capturing each emotion and reflecting it with mirror like sparkle as it bends and shapes into a memory of your youth. The passionate guitar riff drives the track whipping you up in a swirl of uplifting hope, while the flexible bass and steady beat grounds the enthralling track. ‘Happy Family’ slots in next at 6 minutes long, this tender gripping track hits you in the chest and makes you listen to every word that you hardly notice its length. Starting as a ballad with gentle twinkle on sweet mellow warm toned guitar it radiates glowing tones and sprinkles of sunlight. With a thumping beat and clap along feature the track kicks into a springy melancholic bounce with a strong message. Melody wise Sundara Karma kick this one out of the park once again as you are singing along while they hit you hard with touching lines “Left and right, they choke me tight ” and heart on your sleeve lyrics, “Wishing that in time, you’ll find someone to hold onto” The track then builds up to a big crescendo with Americana rhythms and uplifting vibes that fill you with hope. The track is the definition of all the hopes and dreams that one goes through with the glum reality contrasting those dreams. ‘Flame’ reintroduces that epic anthem that will have a live audience exploding and chanting back. Ear worm melody and slick guitar flickering in and out of each verse gives glimpses of the massive chorus to come. Its a dazzling track full of vibrancy and sunny vibes. ‘Loose The Feeling’ bounces with light bubbly tones and twinkling guitar. Its airy vibes ooze expressions of freedom, with Lulu’s vocals adding a gritty edgy quality bursting with emotion and expression. Soft backing vocals add a lulling quality while the soft beat and percussion cushions the track with a comforting bounce. ‘She Said’ is a propeller of vitality, its slick style and shout out chorus is guaranteed to leave a live crowd hoarse the next day. With jangly strident guitars, rapid tempo and swinging pizzazz its a track that hazy memories are made for. Elastic rebounding base drives the track while the whippy percussion will have your hips shaking and feet shuffling in no time. Its a ruckus causing frenzy infused track that you will definitely put on repeat. ‘Vivienne’ is an infectious track that compels you to escape the noise, run away and soak up the love. Gentle beats start and coax while biting shrill on guitars add a breaking free forget it all vibe. Filling you with hopeful tones the track builds to a sure strong beat and becomes a middle finger to the world anthem. ‘Be Nobody’ is a heartfelt tear to the eye swaying track that yearns intimacy. With suspended shrill and distortion on guitars this track packs a punch. Its simple yet extremely effective. Pulsing beat and powerful vocals hits you to your core. In places vocally it reminds me of Meat Loaf as the lyrics are sung rapidly and almost create the beat. Just when you expect the album to slow down Sundara Karma slap you in the face with this fresh new take on their sound. ‘Deep Relief’ bounces with peppy energetic liveliness that fills you with the strength to “Hold On”. The track is soaked in positive vibes and sprinkled with their nostalgic melancholic tones. Soft backing vocals sooth and add a hazy dreamy vibe while the zesty guitar acts like a ray of sunlight shining on your face and brightening up your day. ‘Watching From Great Heights’ features the album’s title in its lyrics and a shredding nostalgic coated guitar solo. Infectious melody and catchy chorus this track runs along smoothly dropping you into a dreamy haze of edgy indie pop. ‘The Night’ brings us to the end of the album with light twinkling guitars sparkling and glistening as the track glides and slides with liquid fluidity. The guitar shines with a biting shrilling solo that features glimpses of psychedelic “wah wah”. With Lulu showcasing his unique wide vocal range this track is a swagger smothered strutting glide of sophisticated indie rock.
Sundara Karma have displayed their well crafted slick effortlessly cool intelligent indie that is so passionate and thrilling you will be with them for every note, hanging on in there as they grasp your very soul and summon your inner youth to rise up and bellow out the relatable lyrics and ear worm melody.
Stream ‘Youth is Only Ever Fun in Retrospect’ below
Currently based in California, indie artist Henry Chadwick has been making waves with his new EP, ‘Guest at Home’. A singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer, his self-produced EP showcases Chadwick’s skills, as he wrote, engineered and played most of the instruments on it. Chadwick’s music has charted on both the Hype Machine and Indie Shuffle Charts with #1 Spots and his single ‘Alright’ has just reached 100,000 streams on Spotify. Chadwick draws influences as much from music of the past (The Beatles, The kinks, T-Rex, Nirvana, David Bowie etc.,) as from current artists who keep pushing forward stylistically and sonically. Henry makes catchy, thoughtful and usually energetic music with a unique perspective, edge and charm. Henry Chadwick was raised in a studio environment, his father being an engineer who worked out of Cherokee studios in Hollywood through the 1980’s and continued to record in his home studio in the Santa Cruz Mountains. ‘Guest at Home’ EP brings a sound that will transport you to back to the swinging 60s with flashes of current indie edge to pull you into a spiralling concoction of energetic charming delight. Title track ‘Guest At Home’ kicks things off with a ripe zealous guitar riff sugar coated in an infectious melody that swoons and floats with ecstasy. Peppy bouncy beat, clap along feature and smooth vocals make this track an instant hit. The witty lyrics and sweet shrill on guitar teamed with a slice of rock and roll Jerry Lee Lewis -esque piano this track will have you rocking around the clock. ‘Overtime’ slows the pace with strumming guitar and reverb psychedelic vocals. Its a prism of trippy sparkling hypnotic euphoria. Soft beats and spaced out vibes give the track a floating wispy daydream feel. ‘Alright’ is a hazy Californian driving track. Bursting with cool sun kissed vibes exuding effortless sleek swagger with a creamy fluid flow. Slick guitar adds a zest and a sensual smack of charm to the track. Its a groovy dexterous foxy strut of laid back smooth rock. ‘Something I Don’t Know’ showcases that superb rock with ear worm melody and infectious hair raising heart quickening guitar feature teamed with punchy drums that makes you dance around the room in a joyous frenzy. Its an uplifting radiant tune that appeals to every fibre of your being. Chadwick displays the high range in his vocals for the catchy lovable chorus. ‘The Two Of Us’ closes the EP with edgy guitar and eerie vocals. Perfect harmonies add a lush texture while the strong beat drives the track forward. Simple sway-like feel with darker undertones keeps the track fresh and makes it stand out from the others. With psychedelic twists towards the end Chadwick knows how to keep your attention throughout making you want to hear more.
Stream ‘Guest at Home’ EP below
Nashville’s Indie rock act, Bad Cop have released ‘Dreamer Man’ from their upcoming album, ‘Hello, Mr. Sunshine’ which was produced by Chris Grainger (Wilco, Cadillac Three) and is due out Spring 2017. ‘Dreamer Man’ presents us with an instantly infectious rock tune with musicianship as tight as leather pants. The slick smooth and sensual riff pulls you in and shakes you to your rock core making you want to groove and dance. Catchy bouncing melody drives full speed unapologetically bursting with free spirit careless rock and roll. Singer Adam Moult exudes swagger with full throttle wailing vocals coated in lavish flaunting charm. With punchy drums and a shredding air guitar worthy solo Bad Cop get down and dirty with this nimble lusciously textured rock track that is gritty, raw and wild.
Stream ‘Dreamer Man’ below
Ivory Wave are a 5 piece band hailing from Birmingham. This unique indie band caught our attention earlier this week. Their recent single ‘Paradise’ is a floaty track that creates a bubbling fizzing world of its own. With sprinkles of psychedelia in swirling synths and sweet lush backing vocals its a fluffy trippy cloud of narcotic ecstasy. Bliss and euphoria ooze from every pulse of the track. With perky indie beats adding a gritty sandy pull to the track and infectious groove its effortlessly cool and chic with a dreamland anaesthetic thrown in. Raspy attitude soaked vocals tie the track up nicely relaying authentic lyrics. These guys have a strong steady impressive sound creating their own little Utopian hypnotic pocket in the indie scene. Once you hear this track you will be addicted.
Bad Sounds are a five piece indie band from Bath. They have recently released their new song ‘Wages’ which follows on from their previous single, ‘Avalanche. ‘Wages’ was debuted as Annie Mac’s Hottest Record In The World and the band recently supported Rat Boy on his UK Tour as well as turning heads at a variety of festivals during the summer. Despite the lyric of the song complaining about working hard but not being paid enough, there’s a feel good sound and groove to the track. This colourful vibrant track splashes exuberant instrumentals against dreary vocals creating a simple yet effective contrast. The sweep of lavish percussion and rich textures give the track a strutting prance and flamboyance that is infectious. Brimming with triumphal trumpet features, spring-like bouncing rhythms and even a bit of country twang,this soul-infused anthem is a joyous mixed delight of blissful euphoria. Bad Sounds lift our spirits as they give us a tune to strut down the street to when things are glum and you feel moody. So don’t sulk, groove to this infectious swagger laden deliriously happy track.
Watch the video for ‘Wages’ below
Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From JAWS
Birmingham indie-outfit, JAWS, released their full-length sophomore album ‘SimplicIty’ on November 4. ‘Simplicity’ is JAWS first outing since their frenzied debut LP ‘Be Slowly’ in 2014. Opting for a short period of silence to re-calibrate, the band resurfaced with hazy new single ‘What We Haven’t Got Yet’. Band members Connor Schofield (vocals, guitar), Alex Hudson (guitar) and Eddy Geach (drums) formed in Birmingham in 2012, they were identified as being part of the Digbeth B-Town scene and were part of a group of bands from the Midlands that won wider acclaim. Their debut record ‘Be Slowly’ was produced by Oliver Horton (Swim Deep, Foals, Cymbals) and saw the band tour alongside Peace and Spector. In 2015 JAWS shared ‘Bad Company’ via Huw Stephens Radio 1 show. Reformed and re-energised the band are closing in with a second full-length release ‘Simplicity’ which was released in November. We have chosen ‘What We Haven’t Got Yet’ from the album to be our worth a listen track this week. ‘What We Haven’t Got Yet’ gives us a crisp fresh pristine track that delivers a forceful blow of bright juicy indie and raw edgy rock. Piercing guitar riffs cut through the track with chilling shrill and razor sharp laceration while the crashing pounding drums pummel and strike giving the track hard hitting energy. This anthemic song has an infectious sing along chorus which is set to have any live audience bellowing out in no time and intense frenzy causing energy that is mosh worthy and manic. Schofield’s vocals cool the track down with chilled velvety tones and smooth qualities giving silky ripple-less textures and a fresh vibe to the track. Jaws have stepped things up with this album and I would highly recommend giving the entire ‘Simplicity’ album a spin.
Watch the video for What We Haven’t Got Yet’ below
Five Mile Smile are a two piece rock band from Belfast. Their recent single ‘Beg Borrow or Steal’ is a stroke-causing heavy boisterous shot of rock. Its a brawny gritty slug of whiskey immersed in a rowdy brawl with pounding drums and beefy riffs. Screaming swagger infused vocals exude attitude and fire. Slick slide on guitar and shredding solo slaps you in the face with potent lusty gutsy rock that is energetic and mighty. Its a classic nuts and bolts sturdy rock track.
Stream ‘Beg Borrow or Steal’ below
Indie quartet RINSE have released their new track ‘With You’ . The Stoke-on-Trent lads have been featured on stations such as BBC 6 Music, BBC Introducing and Kerrang they have supported bands such as Jaws, DMA’s and Palma Violets on their UK tours and are creating a buzz amongst a growing network of fans. ‘With You’ is dream rock at its best. RINSE masterfully pull off wild gritty rock coated and smoothed off by blissful dreamy melodies creating a brilliantly polished track with just enough raw edge and bite to sink your teeth into. Raspy crisp vocals add grit to the chorus while smooth almost haunting vocals coo for the verse with a soothing eerie quality. Reverb guitars have a sweet tone and add a hazy nostalgic atmosphere that you can loose yourself in. The track explodes with a massive chilling hair-raising bridge that is swoon worthy yet mosh ready, its noisy but perfectly delicately blusterous. Pounding drums and vigorous strident guitars bring the track home as the mellow honey tone on guitar plays throughout sweetening the piercing track. Its an ear-popping infectious track that mixes and blends candied melodies with kick-ass ruckus causing rock.
Stream ‘With You’ below
Electrifying Chelmsford four-piece Secret Company are back with their latest single ‘Lightning Parade’. The new single is a tease of whats to come from their debut album ‘The World Lit Up And Filled With Colour’ which is set for release on March 10th next year. Band members Scott Revell (vocals / guitar), James Patman (guitar), Kushal Gupta (bass) and Tim Reyland (drums) are highly ambitious by their own admission and since forming in 2012 have gone on to clock up hundreds of thousands of Soundcloud & Spotify plays, performed live tracks on Channel 4’s reality show Made In Chelsea and have appeared at some of the country’s leading festivals this year including Leeds Festival, Secret Garden Party and Isle of Wight. Having previously been praised for their ability to balance delicate touches with anthemic stylings, the quartet yet again prove that pop music doesn’t have to be faceless as their intensity comes complete with thoughtfully crafted leading lines which have led the likes of BBC Radio 1’s Huw Stephens to count himself a big fan. ‘Lightning Parade’ is a darkened melodic grim track that builds into a fiery juggernaut of intensity and emotion. Introducing itself with Revell’s velvety smooth vocals narrating the story in a tender delicate manner. The track springboards into hair raising acute intensity. Shredding shrill on guitars pierce through the sticky beat and muggy gooey atmosphere. The chorus explodes with ferocity and an relentless aggressive energy that is so tense you are on the edge of you seat. With jaw-dropping liquid-smooth yet sharp vocals that haunt and shock with a versatile range and chilling spine tingling qualities. Drenched in eerie bloodcurdling tones this track makes for an electrifying and thrilling ride.
You can pre-order the band’s debut album ‘The World Lit Up And Filled With Colour’ on iTunes now and get ‘Lightning Parade’ and three more songs instantly here https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/world-lit-up-filled-colour/id1176470765
Pontefract four-piece Glass Caves have released their new single ‘Do You Have a Name’. Consisting of band members Matthew Hallas, Elliott Fletcher, Will Groves and Connor Thorpe, Glass Caves have created a name for themselves from their tireless work ethic and seemingly limitless ambition teamed with carefully honed craftsmanship. This has seen them support Augustines, headline London’s Koko, and play a myriad of festivals including Isle of Wight and Reading/Leeds. Their self-funded debut album ‘Alive’ made Record Store Day’s Top 40 when it was released in 2014 and now the band are back with their new single ‘Do You Have A Name’. ‘Do You Have A Name’ displays Glass Caves knack for emotive atmospheric indie rock. Coated in nostalgic tones and smashing the rock anthem vibe this track is hard hitting heartfelt and effortlessly smooth. Creamy raspy vocals soothe and coo with sentimental yearning. Twinkling sting on guitars bring vibrancy to the track and teamed with the animated spring on drums build and lift into the elevated dynamic crescendo. Its got classic rock written all over it, polished and smoothed down to create a tender wistful driving track that has “open roads, heart on your sleeve, wind in your hair” goodness. The track has a wholesome full sound that is perfectly crafted leaving you feeling nourished and refreshed. With rich textures and cool tones this track gets better with each listen.
Watch the video for ‘Do You Have A Name’ below
Indie: (n) an obscure form of rock which you only learn about from someone slightly more hip than yourself.
