7/10
With hype and buzz surrounding the group going back as far as 2015, it seems that this release has been a long time coming. After a flurry of singles and even managing a main stage slot at their hometown festival of Reading, Sundara Karma are finally ready to bring us their debut album 'Youth Is Only Ever Fun In Retrospect'. A cynical title to give your first full-length but one that understands the well-developed and mature sound of the group.
While indie music has had a bit of a tough time over the last few years, bands like this are making it their mission to rekindle the excitement around guitar music, and this new release certainly brings a lot to the table. While the record doesn't really have much in the way of any stand-out singles, the positive flow and momentum of the release makes it an extremely engaging and enjoyable listen throughout.
With twinges of 80s-inspired moments, 'Youth Is Only Ever Fun In Retrospect' has this multifaceted appeal, which I guess has been the band's intention throughout their whole career thus far. A strong and well-rounded debut from these newcomers, and one that should serve them well in the years to come.