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Review: Sundara Karma - 'Better Luck Next Time'

 Sundara Karma - 'Better Luck Next Time' feels like a warm candle-lit bath.



    "Better Luck Next Time" - via: sundara-karma.co.uk



Words by: Connor Fludgate

Better Luck Next Time comes as their first real package since 2019, only in between having publishing Ep's, 'Kill Me' and 'Oblivion!', both taking a distance from their original sound with hints of glamour and rock.


In the lead up to the album release, singles 'Baby Blue', 'Friends of Mine', 'Miss Again' and 'Wishing Well' were all perfect scopes to the album as a whole, as a collective, the tracks all have similar tones and work as a perfect blend of a slight diversion of their sound and their experimental era of the Coronavirus lockdown.

From initial listen, two tracks stood out most. 'Pain + Pleasure' from the off is a higher spiriting track, a groovy 80's disco-like bass line leads a choppy drum track, airy synth work as complementary before the rest of the band, Oscar Pollock demonstrates more of his true vocal abilities in comparison. The other standout being 'Okay I'm Lonely'. A divine ambient instrumental with philharmonics strings and wind instruments, completely throwing the vibe of every album track preceding it up in the air, only to follow on with 'Better Luck Next Time' and do the same all again.

'Violence to the Spirit' portrayed to be a faster tempo'd number, but with a more relaxed tone of vocals, suspended and grainy rhythm section, but simultaneously complemented with a consistently clean lead. Although a good feeling tune upon listening, the lyrics are an oxymoron to the high-spirited backing.

From what seems like having fun with the writing process on 'Sounds Good To Me', the band trial a wavering lead guitar, use of chorus and delay over a clean mix, in comparison to changes tone of the whole song, the addition of the chorus' lyrics, it sounds like a perfect blend of some of the experimental direction of Kill me and Oblivion! Ep's and previous works. Cleanly leans the album into the next track 'Pain + Pleasure

Overall, Sundara Karma start the album slow, they slowly evolve from one sound to the next before two quick switch-ups with starting with the penultimate. Better Luck Next Time is a definite feel-good reminiscent album within the reflection and comfort zone of reminiscing on pastimes. The mixing of the album seem minimal, keeping a more raw mastering, not wanting to feel like the work is perfect, hinting with the album title that they may not have been in the past.


Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/7LRaEYO1IbbqjIm8hyxmLu?si=O0YX8IFwQImVoKIDRJgsVQ

Itunes: https://music.apple.com/ng/album/better-luck-next-time/1699421220





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Location: United Kingdom

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