Sundara Karma's ascent to greatness continues with the monolithic dose of bliss-pop that comes from their epic new single 'Loveblood'. Summer is going to be so much sweeter with Sundara Karma on the scene.
As the band gear up for an epic run of touring, we asked frontman Oscar Lulu to wrap his ears around and lend his opinion to the biggest new tracks unveiled this week - with everyone from Biffy Clyro and Wild Beasts down to the new side-project Interpol's Paul Banks and Wu-Tang's RZA - along with some weird curiosities from the likes of Bright Light Bright Light.
Needless to say, he's not a fan of everything...
Wild Beasts - 'Get My Bang'
"Firstly, what does 'get my bang' actually mean? Secondly, the drums are fucking ace. Dig the bluesy soulful vibe, like a filthy cross between Cold War Kids and Hot Chip. Production is really strong, everything hits you in the right places. Noice."
Bankz & Steelz(Interpol's Paul Banks & Wu-Tang's RZA) - 'Love & War' feat. Ghostface Killah
"For a track featuring Ghostface, expectation was high, perhaps too high. It's kinda like if you were to put the wrong amount of bicarbonate of soda in a cake mix, it would taste slightly bitter. Don't get me wrong, the track is better than a bitter cake, just not as good as Eminem."
The Kills - 'Siberian Nights'
"This is sick. Always loved The Kills but perhaps have never given them enough time and this track makes me think I really should. It's got that kind of Miles Kane/ Last Shadow Puppets feel, current but still cool. Dynamically it's a bit flat, nothing jumps out at you, but that's the vibe and it works."
The Hour - 'The Answer'
"Not massively into this. Makes me want to listen to The Weeknd and that's saying something. I get why people would be into it. Probably going to be massive."
The Julie Ruin - 'I'm Done'
"Jimmy Nutron meets My Parents Are Aliens meets Courtney Barnett. Really like it, the vocals are strong and it feels totally honest. Wouldn't be out of place at a Primitives gig nor on the Mean Girls soundtrack."
Shura - 'What's It Gonna Be'
"It's a strong pop song, production is great. Think it's my favourite Shura track I've heard. A decent Record and proof that the 80's revival isn't showing any signs of slowing down."
Bright Light Bright Light - 'All In The Name' (featuring Eltion John)
":/"
Tiggi Hawke - 'Burn Notice'
"The magic moment is when the chorus first hits, rest of it is a bit lacklustre, but for what it is it's good and satisfies the need for a bit of pop indulgence."
Cymbals Eat Guitars - 'Wish'
"One of the Youtube comments for this track was "This isn't "Cymbals Eat Guitars," it's actually "Drum Machines Eat Synthesizers" and he's not wrong. Dig the vocals, it's like a cross between Bruce Springsteen and Stephen Malkmus."
Cass McCombs - 'Opposite House'
"This is so good. Favourite track out of all the other ones we've reviewed. It brings to mind a golden LA sunset where everybody's sipping on Pina Colada's and the Pina Colada's are ice cold but the weather is scorching so the Pina Colada's go down even easier. Really want a Pina Colada."
Biffy Clyro - 'Animal House'
"Riffs are sick, vocals are sick, production is sick, drums are sick, bvs are sick, melodies are sick, the tattoos are sick, this is sick."
Sundara Karma's full upcoming UK headline tour dates are below. For tickets and information, visit here.
24/05 - CLWB Ifor Bach, Cardiff
25/05 - Wedgwood Rooms, Portsmouth
27/05 - Dot To Dot, Manchester
28/05 - Dot To Dot, Bristol
29/05 - Dot To Dot - Nottingham
31/05 - Oran Mor, Glasgow
01/06 - Cluny, Newcastle
02/06 - Arts Club, Liverpool
03/06 - The Rainbow, Birmingham
01/07 - Blissfields, Hampshire
16/09 - Heaven, London
Meanwhile, they're also set for the following festivals:
27/05 Dot to Dot, Manchester
28/05 Dot to Dot, Bristol
29/05 Dot to Dot, Nottingham
18/06 110 Above Festival
26/06 Glastonbury Festival
01/07 Blissfields Festival
16/07 Truck Festival
22/07 Secret Garden Party
23/07 Tramlines Festival
24/07 Bluedot Festival
30/07 Y Not Festival
31/07 Kendal Calling Festival 05/08 Forgotten Fields Festival
13/08 Summer Well Festival
26/08 Electric Fields Festival
27/08 Reading Festival
28/08 Leeds Festival
03/09 LodeStar Festival
