Words by Katie Macbeth
Since the release of their debut album Youth is Only Ever Fun in Retrospect two years ago, Sundara Karma have evolved and reinvented themselves from indie heart-throbs to goth kings.
A revolution that is effortlessly clear in their latest release Ulfilas’ Alphabet (a reference to medieval German goth Ulfilas, who developed an alphabet in order to translate the Bible from Latin); an album that proves that Sundara Karma can shapeshift into an Avant Garde masterpiece.
Opener A Song for my Future Self is other-worldly with synths and horns merging effortlessly before Lead Singer Oscar Pollock’s recognisable vocals are unchained and we are greeted with a story of how progressive we are as humans.
One last night on this Earth, the second single release, is a stunning track and the only one reminiscent of the bands’ former releases in style, while Higher States is completely unique, which will have listeners bouncing with excitement. It’s a truly infectious, feel-good song; a highlight of the album.
The Changeover may be regarded as the ‘sad song’, reminiscent of David Bowie, highlighting how physical progression is inevitable and how we change and develop as humans. The vocals are stunning and put Oscar’s theatricalism into the spotlight.
The beautiful title track will get you thinking as much as it will dancing. The verses are filled with dark meaning, taken to a higher level with the dramatic change in vocals that pair so effortlessly with Ally Baty’s insane guitar work.
The album takes you on a journey through Gothicism of the digital age. The structure fully grasps the listener and takes them on an adventure, talking you through personal thoughts and feelings on the world we live in.
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