Sundara Karma

Sundara Karma

Company type	Musical group
Industry	Music
Founded	2011 in Reading, Berkshire, England
Defunct	2024
Headquarters	Reading , England
Products	Music albums, EPs, singles

Sundara Karma was a British rock group established in 2011 in Reading, Berkshire. The ensemble consisted of Oscar Pollock, who handled lead vocals, guitar, and songwriting, lead guitarist Ally Baty, bassist Dom Cordell, and drummer Haydn Evans. Their name is inspired by the Hindi phrase meaning "Beautiful Karma".

2011–2016: Origins and initial phase

The band formed during their teenage years while attending secondary school. They first attracted notice in 2013 by sharing a demo on SoundCloud, which opened doors for them to support well-known musicians. Over the subsequent three years, they embarked on extensive tours throughout the UK and Europe, releasing tracks that would later be included on their debut album, Youth Is Only Ever Fun in Retrospect.

2017–2018: Release of Youth is Only Ever Fun in Retrospect

Sundara Karma's first album, Youth Is Only Ever Fun in Retrospect, was launched in January 2017 via Sony Music and Chess Club. It reached number 24 on the UK Albums Chart and received a Silver Certification from the British Phonographic Industry. In May 2017, the band expanded this album by adding three new songs: "Explore," "Lakhey," and "Another Word For Beautiful."

2019–2020: Ulfilas' Alphabet and Kill Me releases

Their sophomore album, Ulfilas' Alphabet, was released on 1 March 2019 through RCA Records. Produced by Stuart Price alongside Alex Robertshaw, it attained a peak position of number 28 on the UK Albums Chart and garnered favorable critiques from publications such as The Guardian, NME, and DIY.

In May 2020, Sundara Karma shared three unreleased singles—"Today, Tomorrow, Yesterday," "Invade Safe Space," and "Vision Sick"—via SoundCloud, all originating from sessions for Ulfilas' Alphabet.

On 1 October 2020, the band unveiled the single "Kill Me" through Chess Club Records, followed by an eponymous five-track EP released on 24 October 2020.

2021–2024: Oblivion!, Better Luck Next Time, and dissolution

Nearly a year after their fourth EP, Sundara Karma debuted the track "Godsend" on 17 September 2021. In February 2022, they released the title song from their fifth EP, Oblivion!, which officially launched on 1 April 2022.

On 27 October 2023, they presented Better Luck Next Time, their first full-length album in over four years. This record marked a departure from the electro-pop style of Oblivion! and received acclaim from outlets like DIY and Dork. It achieved a peak chart position of number 13 on the UK Albums Chart, becoming their inaugural top 20 UK album.

On 23 September 2024, Sundara Karma announced plans to "step away from making music as Sundara Karma," alongside revealing Live for the Last Time—a series of four farewell concerts. The band officially disbanded following their final performance on 8 December 2024 at O2 Forum Kentish Town.

Members

• Oscar Pollock – lead vocals, rhythm and acoustic guitar, piano, keyboard, synthesizer (2011–2024)
• Dom Cordell – bass guitar, backing vocals (2011–2024)
• Ally Baty – guitar, keyboard, synthesizers, backing vocals (2011–2024)
• Haydn Evans – drums (2011–2024)

Studio albums

Catalogue of studio albums including key information, chart rankings, and certifications

Album	Information	Highest chart position	Certifications
		UK
Youth Is Only Ever Fun in Retrospect	Release date: 6 January 2017 Record label: Sony Music/Chess Club Available formats: CD, digital download, vinyl	24	BPI: Silver
Ulfilas' Alphabet	Released on: 1 March 2019 Label: RCA Formats: CD, digital download, vinyl	28
Better Luck Next Time	Date of release: 27 October 2023 Label: Is Right Records Formats offered: CDr, digital download, vinyl, cassette	-

EPs

Catalogue of EPs with key details

Title	Information
EP I	Released: 23 February 2015 Formats: 10", digital download
EP II	Release date: 27 November 2015 Formats: 10", digital download
Loveblood	Released on: 4 November 2016 Available formats: 7", digital download
Kill Me	Release date: 24 November 2020 Formats: 10", digital download
Oblivion!	Released on: 1 April 2022 Format: Digital download only

Singles

Title	Year released	Certifications	Associated album or EP
"Cold Heaven"	2014		Non-album singles
"Indigo Puff"
"Loveblood"	2015		EP I
"Flame"		BPI: Silver	Youth Is Only Ever Fun in Retrospect
"Vivienne"			EP II
"A Young Understanding"	2016		Youth Is Only Ever Fun in Retrospect
"She Said"		BPI: Silver
"Olympia"
"Happy Family"
"Explore"	2017		Non-album single
"Illusions"	2018		Ulfilas’ Alphabet
"One Last Night on This Earth"
"The Changeover"
"Higher States"	2019
"Little Smart Houses"
"Today, Tomorrow, Yesterday"	2020		Non-album singles
"Invade Safe Space"
"Vision Sick"
"Kill Me"			Kill Me
"Godsend"	2021		Oblivion!
"Oblivion!"	2022
"All These Dreams"
"Friends of Mine"	2023		Better Luck Next Time
"Baby Blue"
"Wishing Well"