"Youth is Only Ever Fun in Retrospect" - Sundara Karma, Album Review

Above: album artwork for "Youth is Only Ever Fun in Retrospect" (@sundarakarma/Instagram)

On January 6 2017, the Berkshire quartet Sundara Karma released their highly anticipated debut album. Prior to this, the indie band had released three EPs entitled "EP I" and "EP II" in 2015 and "Loveblood" in 2016.

This record is filled with catchy guitar riffs and melodic tunes from start to end. In this LP, Sundara Karma achieve the perfect blend of upbeat rhythms and powerful lyrics. What they lack in experience, Sundara Karma make up for in experimentalism and stepping out of the box which is always refreshing to see. "Youth is Only Ever Fun in Retrospect" is the type of album which makes you want to get up and dance but also makes you want to think: the way this four-piece have mastered it is something special. 

Standout tracks include "Vivienne", "Watching from Great Heights" and "Happy Family". The musical talent of the quartet is highlighted throughout the album with the vocals of lead singer, Oscar Pollock, in "The Night" shining through. This concluding track brings the album to the perfect end, finishing with just the right tone.

It's evident that these young musicians have significant amounts of talent and chemistry as they have produced such a high quality debut album. Sundara Karma are fresh on the scene and give off the impression that what they care about is making music - something we need more of in the industry. The combination of raw talent and diligence this band hold is exceptional. But this is just the beginning; the standard of this album leaves very high expectations and intrigue as to how further experience will dictate their sound. If they continue like this, big things are sure to come for Sundara Karma.

Rating: 8/10

You can get hold of Sundara Karma's album via iTunes here and can listen on Spotify here.

What do you think of this album? Why not comment below or on Twitter @TheRiffReviews ?