Sundara Karma
Youth Is Only Ever Fun In Retrospect
Reviewed by: Lauren Rosier
The indie rock band Sundara Karma released their EP Loveblood earlier this year and embarked on a co-headline run of the first ever BBC Music Presents U.S. tour this fall. If you prefer infectious, alternative pop rock, their U.S. debut full-length, Youth Is Only Ever Fun In Retrospect, does not disappoint.
The four piece, consisting of Oscar Pollock (vocals/guitar), Haydn Evans (drums), Dom Cordell (bass), and Ally Baty (guitar) are ready to take the world by storm with this solid debut.
Retrospect is stacked with catchy and infectious alternative pop rock songs from built for success on alternative radio.
The quartet melds ’80s pop with today’s synth pop scene on “Olympia” where you may hear similarities to The Boss. The track was also included on the band’s EP that was based on Oscar Wilde’s short story, Lord Arthur’s Savile Crime.
The band shines the brightest on the lead single, “Happy Family.” It’s a perfectly crafted alternative pop track that focuses on family and its dynamics. It opens with gentle guitar strumming and beautiful harmonies and leads into an infectious chorus filled with heartfelt lyrics: “...be careful what you wish for now / nothing lasts forever / time will always take its toll / and if a broken home is on the shelf / you know what we should ask ourselves / we were ever happy / acting in a family role…”
“She Said” is a great track about relationships, breakups, and going out to forget about the heartache. It’s relatable, uptempo, and danceable; all attributes that are equal to an infectious, fan-favorite track.
“Vivienne” is an heartfelt ode to a mysterious, attractive female “…you and I stuck in the end between / come on baby let’s feel alive / we could change the world if we stop getting high / you know i’d give it all up / just to spend it with you…”
You can tell that this band is going to be one of the breakthrough bands of 2017. Their ability to blend solid musicianship, strong songs both musically and lyrically, and this aura they have is an equation for incredible success.
Rating: Bad-Ass
