Sundara Karma, formed of four 18-year olds from Berkshire are taking the music industry by storm! Oscar Lulu, Haydn Evans, Ally Baty and Dom Cordell are unlike your average college students, due to their highly demanded airplay on Radio One and their slot at this year’s Reading festival.
The four piece indie band who are currently embarking on a UK tour, are already making their mark in the world of music, with their forthcoming sophomore EP aptly titled EP II, which will be released on November 9 via Sony Music. The compelling melodies and poetic lyrics follow the same impassioned route as Sundara Karma’s previous material; yet seem to hold something more captivating to its pandemic audience.
The first track off the EP is “Vivienne“. The song tells the tale of an amorous relationship, a convoluted story in which most teenagers can only dream of. This summer anthem opens the EP with glistening guitar riffs and an infectious baseline, which can only make listeners anticipate sun filled festivals and teenage rebellion! Lead singer Oscar Lulu’s vocals wash the track in an intriguing melody, alongside a predictably catchy chorus and a faultless rush of energy. The continuous repetition of the line “We could change the world if we stopped getting high” reflects on the idea that most teens have of, doing something with their life, but simply can’t find the effort or capabilities of making a difference. This album opener proves that this band are unmistakably going to be huge!
As Clash Magazine once said “Sundara Karma arrive with choruses built for arenas” and this is certainly the case for the next track “Run Away“. As the EP takes a darker turn, the band still deliver a dynamic and mind embedding chorus with the eccentric lyrics “Push me aside and tell me I’m wonderful / Push me aside and tell me I’m miserable“, which are so catchy, you will not stop singing them for weeks once you give this tune a listen! This track in particular shows that Sundara Karma are unlike many indie rockers, with their musically creative ideas of death and sacrifice that reflect on current topics, sets the four piece apart from other bands and gives indie rock a new more sinister side which is easily attracting thousands of fans!
Sundara Karma’s following track “Diamond Cutter” nods in the direction of U2, with the same distinctive vibe of a slower with or without you, the tune has a brooding verse which explodes into a career defining refrain! This is apparent in the single’s mellow momentum and rousing indie rock, which hits in the same vein as bands like Palma Violets, Swim Deep and Peace. This tune will definitely prove a crowd favourite at their upcoming autumn tour!
The Reading four piece round their latest EP off with a soon to be chart smashing hit “Prisons To Purify” featuring Marika Hackman. Frontman Oscar Lulu’s eerie opening line “Silence holds our tongues / We’re fighting for a love that can’t be won” sets the tune off with dreary harmonies alongside the punch and character of spectral drums. The balance of indie pop and transverse vivid melodies; do not alter with the tranquility of Marika Hackman’s harmonising vocals of the second verse.
“More refreshing than the sunshine” boasts their Facebook page, with a variety of comparisons to Swim Deep, Peace and Bruce Springsteen, and music reflecting sacrifices and youthful years. Sundara Karma’s increasing popularity has seen the band playing a variety of festivals and gigs this summer! You can catch the band at their headline tour with a variety of sold out shows this autumn. Sundara Karma may not be everyone’s cup of tea but are definitely ones to watch for the near future! Pre-order Sundara Karma’s EP II on iTunes here.
Words by Olivia Fleming
