SUNDARA KARMA - "YOUTH IS ONLY EVER FUN IN RETROSPECT" ALBUM REVIEW
- Feb 7, 2017
- 3 min read
An atmospheric infusion of new wave indie delicately presented in a casing of intelligent and insightful melody. Youth Is Only Ever Fun in Retrospect is the NEW album from Reading based, long-haired free spirits Sundara Karma. Having dilly-dallied around with various singles and EP's over the past few years they've finally gone for the big time and released their debut album, much to elation of their avid fan-base. Having played an opening slot at Reading & Leeds Festival’s prestigious main stage last summer we can safely assume they're ready for the challenges that lie ahead. The albums elaborate title appears to be more of a theme than just a 'stab in the dark' attempt at creating the quirkiest album name of 2017. The record, through its entirety, is an ode to youth. All the high's, low's, discovery, experiences, adventures, anguish, heartbreaks, friendships, smiles and just about everything in-between. They fit a lot into this 47 minute spectacle.
Predominantly the album is a relaxed and peaceful affair with Loveblood and She Said being the black sheep pairing. These two are the heavyweights, full of bold percussion and fierce guitar that give the record a spring in its step and fire in its belly. This venture from the norm is, however, only a temporary lapse of character. Their transcendent vibe soon pierces its way back through to the surface of their auditory know-how. We hear several influences on this album; the most blatant being Kings of Leon's wholesome and full bodied country twang which crops up on every nook and cranny of this albums glorious existence. It’s in no way a replica though! They infuse these sounds with various other styles effortlessly, creating a niche for themselves somewhere in the realm of new romantic, country indie. That doesn’t even make any fucking sense, but just run with it.
What Sundara Karma do so well on this record is that they manage to maintain an identifiable/ original sound but conjure a variation in style on each track. Many albums, regardless of genre, fail to achieve this balance. You either get a jumble of songs that sound like they were plucked from opposite ends of the earth or a collection of songs that are just carbon copies of each other. Neither is great, but ‘Youth Is Only Ever Fun in Retrospect’ hits the nail square on the fucking head. Adjacent to KOL, we have hints of bands like Two Door Cinema Club and Vampire Weekend with intermittent sections of dance funk rock, sprinkles of Tame Impala's illusionary dystopia and some very strong resemblances to King Charles and Ben Howard’s warm acoustic vibes. ‘Happy Family’ is the stand out track on this album, it’s at this point we really start to hear the vocal prowess of King Charles and soothing, yet funky acoustic tones of Ben Howard rise to the surface of the sunny landscape that Sundara Karma set. ‘Flame’ is another of the records more mighty patrons. Triumphant by nature and catchy in sound this is one that stapled on for festival set lists. If you listen closely enough you can already hear the crowd singing the lyrics back to them.
‘Lose The Feeling’ and ‘Be Nobody’ give us hope that the saying “as one door closes another opens” is, in fact, a truthful chronicle. The Maccabees may be about to embark on an emotional break-up at London’s Alexandra Palace in June/July BUT right under our noses we have a more than capable suitor to fill the void in all those lonely hearts. Those sad souls that exit the doors of the Ally Pally this summer will be the same elated faces flooding the fields of the Great British Countryside later this year dancing emphatically and discovering their new favourite band. Keep the faith brother! Who’s a gambling man/woman then? We’ve got a red hot tip for you all. Expect Sundara Karma to be playing the biggest stages on the music circuit in no time at all. As soon as they get the platform they need to be noticed by all those yet to discover their genius it’ll be like a meteor hurtling through space and time on an impenetrable course for greatness. Dramatic, but true nonetheless!
Be sure to acquaint yourself with this album, before the summer months creep back into your life. It’s one you’ll want every step of the way to soundtrack those sunny strolls, late summer evenings and moments of sun basking in festival fields.
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