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
Toronto singer/songwriter BAD CHILD has released his new single ‘Desert Island Lover’. This infectiously smooth track glides with effortlessly cool charm and lazy sunny day vibes. Coated in indifferent moody tones this track is almost beyond feeling, it conveys the mood of “becoming comfortable in your situation and not realising how bad it is”. With a numbing flow that places you into a paralysing trance dulling your mind with its soft heavy percussion which plods and thumps, immersed in its task. The beat and percussion become the main focus point to the mind with its stumbling magnetism while distorted keys splash out sweet melodies giving a blissful hazy daydream vibe. The sharp guitar adds edge and bite to the track. Sulky glum vocals add a monotonous punch to the track while also possessing a charismatic charm for the chorus. This track is an insanely catchy pop composition and an ambling, entrancing listen blurred with hazy sullen vibes and coated in beachy island tones.
Stream ‘Desert Island Lover’ below
Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From Jain
Jain is a French singer already creating a stir in her native France, along with Russia and Poland. Her debut album ‘Zanaka’ went to No. 5 in the French album charts while her song ‘Makeba’ which is about South African civil rights leader, singer, Mama Africa Miriam Makeba, caught the attention of Jaden Smith, who broadcast the song live to more than 100 countries over internet radio. ‘Makeba’ storms though your ears with blissful sound-waves that compel every part of your body to dance. Its honey to the ears causing insane stuck song syndrome with an irresistible melody that seeps in and takes control. Richly textured with African beats and trance inducing danceable melody, its a captivating charming track that will have everyone on their feet. Jain’s vocals pull you into the track and introduce you to her unique fresh sound that is simply dazzling. Once you press play ‘Makeba’ will have you dancing and begging to hear more.
Watch the video for ‘Makeba’ below
Currently based in California, indie artist Henry Chadwick has been making waves with his new EP, ‘Guest at Home’. A singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer, his self-produced EP showcases Chadwick’s skills, as he wrote, engineered and played most of the instruments on it. Chadwick’s music has charted on both the Hype Machine and Indie Shuffle Charts with #1 Spots and his single ‘Alright’ has just reached 100,000 streams on Spotify. Chadwick draws influences as much from music of the past (The Beatles, The kinks, T-Rex, Nirvana, David Bowie etc.,) as from current artists who keep pushing forward stylistically and sonically. Henry makes catchy, thoughtful and usually energetic music with a unique perspective, edge and charm. Henry Chadwick was raised in a studio environment, his father being an engineer who worked out of Cherokee studios in Hollywood through the 1980’s and continued to record in his home studio in the Santa Cruz Mountains. ‘Guest at Home’ EP brings a sound that will transport you to back to the swinging 60s with flashes of current indie edge to pull you into a spiralling concoction of energetic charming delight. Title track ‘Guest At Home’ kicks things off with a ripe zealous guitar riff sugar coated in an infectious melody that swoons and floats with ecstasy. Peppy bouncy beat, clap along feature and smooth vocals make this track an instant hit. The witty lyrics and sweet shrill on guitar teamed with a slice of rock and roll Jerry Lee Lewis -esque piano this track will have you rocking around the clock. ‘Overtime’ slows the pace with strumming guitar and reverb psychedelic vocals. Its a prism of trippy sparkling hypnotic euphoria. Soft beats and spaced out vibes give the track a floating wispy daydream feel. ‘Alright’ is a hazy Californian driving track. Bursting with cool sun kissed vibes exuding effortless sleek swagger with a creamy fluid flow. Slick guitar adds a zest and a sensual smack of charm to the track. Its a groovy dexterous foxy strut of laid back smooth rock. ‘Something I Don’t Know’ showcases that superb rock with ear worm melody and infectious hair raising heart quickening guitar feature teamed with punchy drums that makes you dance around the room in a joyous frenzy. Its an uplifting radiant tune that appeals to every fibre of your being. Chadwick displays the high range in his vocals for the catchy lovable chorus. ‘The Two Of Us’ closes the EP with edgy guitar and eerie vocals. Perfect harmonies add a lush texture while the strong beat drives the track forward. Simple sway-like feel with darker undertones keeps the track fresh and makes it stand out from the others. With psychedelic twists towards the end Chadwick knows how to keep your attention throughout making you want to hear more.
Stream ‘Guest at Home’ EP below
David Arn is an American singer, songwriter, musician best known for his highly personal lyrical style. He currently has two albums entitled, ‘Postmodern Days’ and ‘Walking in Dreamland’ (which in 2015 was played on over 85 US and Canada FM stations). Streamed worldwide on myriad outlets, Arn’s music has been featured on NPR stations, BBC Radio and heard on Delta Airlines commercial flights. Hailing from a literary background, the most important aspect of Arn’s songs are the lyrics which have an endearing lyrical style with a poetic flair. David has recently released his new single ‘Power Line’ which was mastered and engineered by Andrew Walter (David Bowie, Coldplay) at Abbey Road Studios and is a musical collaboration with Toby Wilson who features in the single as lead guitarist. As a sophisticated multi-instrumentalist and musician, this particular release is a new sound for David, who cites Leonard Cohen as one of his main influences. The single marks the first release of a larger project set to be released later in 2017. ‘Power Line’ twangs with melancholic nostalgic tones that glimmer with warm mellow scintillation. This new release still retains the lyrical style that David has been well known for in his previous two album releases, however the track echoes more of a mainstream folk sound. Smooth vocals lull you into a state of tranquillity while steady strums surge a hush of serenity with bright evening sun-setting glows. Sweet subtle guitar licks add warm sapid melodious qualities. Its a gentle song to sway to for those thoughtful contemplative moments on the patio.
Stream ‘Power Line’ below
The Curious Incident are a pop/rock band with a Caribbean Twist. Based in London they have released their new single ‘Behaviour Saviour’. Kairo (Vocals, Guitar), from South Africa and Diaz (Drums, Sampling), from Indonesia found their way to England via The Netherlands and promise to make music that will “make land-lovers surf.” The band will be releasing a new single every month for the next 3 months as part of their aptly named plan – “3 Songs, 3 Months”. ‘Behaviour Saviour’ is the first instalment, an appetisingly charming slice of Caribbean-tinged indie-pop. Like being caressed by a warm, tropical breeze, The Curious Incident present us with a chirpy bouncy track coated in smooth energetic vibrancy and sun soaked wholesomeness. Soft smooth vocals glide with silky fluid textures. The deep backing vocals contrast adding a variety of textures and qualities to the track. Rich rebounding percussion and sweet tones on guitar keep the track quirky and refreshing like a cool drink on a hot day. Its a vivid floppy delight to indulge in.
You can download ‘Behaviour Saviour’ and donate whatever you think it is worth via the DONATE button here http://www.thecuriousincident.com/. Any donations will go to helping release the next few singles.
Stream ‘Behaviour Saviour’ below
RÉN (pronounced rain) is an Indie Pop artist from Brooklyn, New York. RÉN is making waves with her thought provoking tracks which are fresh in perspective. She showed us her wisdom through groovy indie in her debut single ‘Time’, followed by her single ‘Into the Unknown’ which is about escape and a much-needed reminder to let go of those aspects of life you will never have control over. These tracks embodied the core concept of RÉN – live fully, ‘let go’ of everything holding you back, and go ‘Into the Unknown’. When performing live lead singer Renée Orshan is joined by her Von Trap like family with brother Reuben Orshan on lead Guitar and sister Eden Orshan on background vocals.
RÉN has released her new single ‘Give It All Up’ which is bursting with an exploding release of optimism and acceptance. Saturated in infectious dance beats and shimmering synths this track exudes sunny radiant vibes from its very essence. With tropical juicy elements its a fruity cocktail of realisation that gently coaxes you into recognising your feelings and emotions. The sun soaked atmosphere fills you with elation and exhilaration. Its a rush of positivity with Renée’s vocals softly cooing and lulling you with soothing warm tones. The track is surrounded with cool airy fresh vibes that swish and swirl like a gentle breeze blowing away all the tension leaving you relaxed and ready to dance, while the synths rain down on you sprinkling joy and uplifting tones. Richly layered with zest and luscious textures dripping from every note its a shimmery delight to relish and savour. This pulsing pop track will have you up and dancing around the room looking forward to summer in no time. RÉN is one to watch.
Stream ‘Give It All Up’ below
Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From Honey Lung
Honey Lung are an alternative band from London. They have released their debut EP ‘Kind Of Alone’. Which has already captured the interest of the likes of Radio X and BBC Introducing. We have chosen their single ‘End Of Time’ from the EP as our worth a listen track this week. ‘End Of Time’ instantly blasts you with fierce 90’s grunge. Shredding guitars rip through the track with raw razor sharp grit and relentless aggression while the drums pound and pummel giving rough and tumble grainy textures that is absolutely thrilling. Soaked in an infectious pop melody that contrasts the dark moody tone, its a sulky sweet juicy track to sink your teeth into. Monotonic, droning brooding vocals fester and wallow in the downcast tone giving a nostalgic nod to the moody bands of 90’s youth. This track bursts with energy and vibrancy in-between the gloom. The zesty riff slaps you in the face and throws you head first into their ebullient sound, leaving you craving more and more for this sun soaked vitalising unique moping sound. The track summarises youth- hood’s conflicting feelings and emotions perfectly, pouty gloomy yet epic. Watch out for these guys.
Stream ‘End Of Time’ below
Jetty Rae is a singer and songwriter originally from Northern Michigan. She released her first full-length album, ‘Blackberries’, in 2007; her first EP, ‘Nobody’, in November 2009; and a lullaby album, ‘La La Lu and the Lazy Moon’, in July 2011. Her album ‘Drowning in Grain’ was released in February 2012 (peaking at #130 on the CMJ 200 charts), ‘Climbing Clouds’ in August of 2013, followed by a Christmas album ‘More Than December’ in November of 2014. 2015 saw Jetty’s first collaborative project under the moniker ‘Pen Pals’ with the release of the album ‘Gold’. Jetty garnered the attention of JetBlue when she played at the opening of their new Terminal at JFK International Airport. MTV. com interviewed Jetty for their ‘Needle In The Haystack’ series, and her song ‘I Love You’ was selected as a free download and featured on their up-and-coming artist blog. Jetty Rae shared the stage with Sarah McLachlan and Miranda Lambert at Lilith Fair in Detroit where she was handpicked by Sarah McLachlan and Terry McBride as the featured local artist. Jetty’s music has also been used in a number of TV commercials for brands such as Microsoft, PetCo, Truvia, Nabi Tablets and more.
Jetty has released her new single ‘Queen of the Universe’ off her first full-length album in four years, ‘Can’t Curse The Free’. This sultry soulful track is packed with passionate darkened swagger and attitude. Its a fiery dangerous smothering sensual track oozing feminine power and dominance. Strong bold vocals lay down the law with sizzling red hot soulful tones and sass. Its a luring dangerously smoking smoulder that burns with intensity. The soft coaxing beat teamed with sticky licks on guitar create a sway-like flow. Jetty’s compelling vocals hold the main centre point of the track, it pushes you into submission with such ease, like she used alcohol and luring steamy distraction to get what she wants. Determined striking chords on guitar are an empowering nod to women everywhere. This track gives an image of a powerful dangerous woman with the world in her hands.
Stream ‘Queen of the Universe’ below
Nashville’s Indie rock act, Bad Cop have released ‘Dreamer Man’ from their upcoming album, ‘Hello, Mr. Sunshine’ which was produced by Chris Grainger (Wilco, Cadillac Three) and is due out Spring 2017. ‘Dreamer Man’ presents us with an instantly infectious rock tune with musicianship as tight as leather pants. The slick smooth and sensual riff pulls you in and shakes you to your rock core making you want to groove and dance. Catchy bouncing melody drives full speed unapologetically bursting with free spirit careless rock and roll. Singer Adam Moult exudes swagger with full throttle wailing vocals coated in lavish flaunting charm. With punchy drums and a shredding air guitar worthy solo Bad Cop get down and dirty with this nimble lusciously textured rock track that is gritty, raw and wild.
Stream ‘Dreamer Man’ below
Indie: (n) an obscure form of rock which you only learn about from someone slightly more hip than yourself.
