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