Biography
Sundara Karma, a Reading outfit from the U.K., shifts fluidly between anthemic guitar-driven rock and luminous art-pop textures. The group surfaced in the mid-2010s through a string of singles that secured a contract with RCA Records, resulting in the 2017 release Youth Is Only Ever Fun in Retrospect, which drew parallels to Arcade Fire and the Maccabees. Extensive global touring paved the way for the more exploratory Ulfilas' Alphabet in 2019, followed by the EPs Kill Me in 2020 and Oblivion! in 2022. Turning back toward guitar emphasis after leaning further into pop elements, the band issued Better Luck Next Time in 2023 via Is Right Records.
Although the moniker carries Hindu and Buddhist roots, Sundara Karma projected straightforward pop from the outset, launching with the 2013 track "Freshbloom" and continuing in 2014 with "Indigo Puff" and "Cold Heaven." Childhood companions Oscar Pollock on vocals and guitar, Ally Baty on guitar, Dom Cordell on bass, and Haydn Evans signed to the RCA subsidiary Chess Club; after two favorably received EPs in 2015, they finished their first album Youth Is Only Ever Fun in Retrospect. Produced by Larry Hibbitt, the LP surfaced in January 2017, prompting a year of promotion that included opening slots for Bastille and Two Door Cinema Club plus European dates and a showcase at the SXSW Festival in Austin, Texas. Upon their return, the quartet began crafting a second album, entering the studio throughout 2018 and delivering Ulfilas' Alphabet in early 2019. Crafted alongside Stuart Price, whose credits include Pet Shop Boys and New Order, the eclectic art-pop and new-wave set reached number 28 on the U.K. charts.
The five-track Kill Me EP surfaced in late 2020 and adopted an even more expansive future-pop approach, a direction sustained on 2022's Oblivion!, both projects helmed by Clarence Clarity. For the subsequent endeavor the quartet retreated from heavy synth textures to deliver a guitar-centric rock album whose upbeat energy recalled their debut; Better Luck Next Time appeared in 2023 on Is Right Records.
Although the moniker carries Hindu and Buddhist roots, Sundara Karma projected straightforward pop from the outset, launching with the 2013 track "Freshbloom" and continuing in 2014 with "Indigo Puff" and "Cold Heaven." Childhood companions Oscar Pollock on vocals and guitar, Ally Baty on guitar, Dom Cordell on bass, and Haydn Evans signed to the RCA subsidiary Chess Club; after two favorably received EPs in 2015, they finished their first album Youth Is Only Ever Fun in Retrospect. Produced by Larry Hibbitt, the LP surfaced in January 2017, prompting a year of promotion that included opening slots for Bastille and Two Door Cinema Club plus European dates and a showcase at the SXSW Festival in Austin, Texas. Upon their return, the quartet began crafting a second album, entering the studio throughout 2018 and delivering Ulfilas' Alphabet in early 2019. Crafted alongside Stuart Price, whose credits include Pet Shop Boys and New Order, the eclectic art-pop and new-wave set reached number 28 on the U.K. charts.
The five-track Kill Me EP surfaced in late 2020 and adopted an even more expansive future-pop approach, a direction sustained on 2022's Oblivion!, both projects helmed by Clarence Clarity. For the subsequent endeavor the quartet retreated from heavy synth textures to deliver a guitar-centric rock album whose upbeat energy recalled their debut; Better Luck Next Time appeared in 2023 on Is Right Records.
Albums
All These Dreams
2022
Oblivion!
2022
Ulfilas' Alphabet
2019
Youth is Only Ever Fun in Retrospect
2017
A Young Understanding
2016
EP I
2015
EP II
2015
Singles
