Better Luck Next Time is the third studio album by English band Sundara Karma, released on 27 October 2023 through Is Right Records. It was produced by Rich Turvey and preceded by the single "Friends of Mine",[1] "Baby Blue" and "Wishing Well".[2] The band will toured the UK in support of the album in November and December 2023.[3]
| Better Luck Next Time | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 27 October 2023 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 30:35 | |||
| Label | Is Right | |||
| Producer | Rich Turvey | |||
| Sundara Karma chronology | ||||
| ||||
Background
editA press release called the album's sound a "departure" from the "electro-pop elements" present on their 2022 EP Oblivion!,[4] with DIY calling the single "Friends of Mine" a return to the "euphoric, guitar-driven sound" of the band's debut, Youth Is Only Ever Fun in Retrospect (2017).[3]
Critical reception
edit| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| DIY |   [5] |
| Dork | [6] |
Mia Smith of DIY felt that the band's "third could well act as a rallying cry for 2010s indie kids", calling it "like a hug from a warm blanket. Albeit one that smells faintly of dark fruits cider".[5] Dork's Emma Quin described it as "an energetic release well worth listening to" and wrote that it "extends [the band's] legacy, feeling vibrant, boyish and tender" as it "reliv[es] memories of nights out, friendships and relationships".[6]
Track listing
editAll tracks are written by Oscar Pollock, except where noted.
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Baby Blue" | 2:54 |
| 2. | "Friends of Mine" | 3:26 |
| 3. | "Miss Again" (Pollock, Fred Macpherson) | 3:39 |
| 4. | "Wishing Well" | 3:51 |
| 5. | "Violence to the Spirit" | 3:21 |
| 6. | "Sounds Good to Me" (Pollock, Joe Janiak) | 2:46 |
| 7. | "Pain + Pleasure" (Pollock, Janiak) | 3:26 |
| 8. | "Okay I'm Lonely" | 3:19 |
| 9. | "Better Luck Next Time" | 3:53 |
| Total length: | 30:35 | |
References
edit- ^ Murray, Robin (7 July 2023). "Sundara Karma Launch New Album Better Luck Next Time". Clash. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
- ^ Taylor, Sam (6 September 2023). "Sundara Karma have released "probably the saddest song" from their upcoming album – check out 'Wishing Well'". Dork. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
- ^ a b Carter, Daisy (11 July 2023). "Sundara Karma are back with latest track 'Friends of Mine'". DIY. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
- ^ Linazasoro, Nick (7 September 2023). "Sundara Karma announce Brighton concert in support of third album". Brighton and Hove News. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
- ^ a b Smith, Mia (26 October 2023). "Sundara Karma – Better Luck Next Time review". DIY. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
- ^ a b Quin, Emma (26 October 2023). "Sundara Karma – Better Luck Next Time". Dork. Retrieved 27 October 2023.