Last week, I bought my first album of 2017. Sundara Karma's debut album 'Youth Is Only Ever Fun In Retrospect.' The album we have all waited for is finally ours to own.
This album has been a long time coming, and so when it came through the door I cried slightly. Announced in late August, we were teased for four months with new music in the wait for this debut. We were given 'She Said' on the day of the album announcement and two months later, in October, we were given the news the band would be touring the UK in February.
The first Sundara Karma track I had ever heard was 'Loveblood' off the band's EP I. At the time I was trying to avoid exam revision and I fell in love with the EP. Their follow up EP and singles didn't disappoint, so I had high hopes for this album.
They've previously toured with the likes of Swim Deep, Circa Waves and the Wombats. Last year they opened Reading Festival on the main stage and this year Sundara Karma have given us their incredible debut album, ''Youth Is Only Ever Fun In Retrospect'.
Something I love about this album is how it incorporates the old with the new. This album has been long awaited and in the last few years, the band have released multiple EP's and tracks which people love.
The album starts with a new track, 'A Young Understanding', and ends with 'The Night', from the bands 2015 'EP I'. Older tracks like Vivienne and Loveblood are merged through brand new tracks and the album itself feels put together. Someone has actually thought about the tracklisting and layout, rather than weighing down the start of the album with older tracks and letting the end fall away with new songs. After all, it wouldn't be a debut album without some of the songs Sundara Karma are best known for.
For me, it's a completely sound album. I'm in love with every track. The pace changes are subtlely introduced and the album, although released in the middle of winter, is perfect to be played loud in summer.
Sundara Karma's UK tour with The Night Cafe, Blaenavon, Will Joseph Cook and Palm Honey (alternating supports) kicks off on the 11th in Birmingham and ends in London's O2 Shepherds Bush Empire on Friday 24th of February. Most of the tour has sold out but if you get the chance, get to a show and see this band live.
Also, you can catch Sundara Karma on Two Door Cinema Club's whole UK tour which kicks off on the 24th of January in Birmingham's O2 Academy.
Youth Is Only Fun In Retrospect is out now on RCA Records.