Kula Shaker - Natural Magick
by Zena Grieg
published: 4 / 5 / 2024
Label:
Strange F.O.L.K
Format: CD
intro
Energetic and innovative merging of Indian music and psychedelia on seventh album from Kula Shaker, the first to feature their original line-up in twenty-five years
English psych-rock band Kula Shaker, fronted by Crispian Mills, son of 60s actor Hayley Mills, came to prominence in the Brit-pop era with their innovative blend of Indian music and psychedelic rock. Their newly released album, their seventh, marks the return of the original line-up after a twenty-five-year hiatus. A mix of mysticism and explicit protest songs, key themes defiance against materialism and a call for love and truth, ‘Natural Magick’ is in Mills’s words: “a ‘gateway’ to a happier, more spiritual reality.” Songs to listen out for in this thirteen-track collection include: the frenetic, soulful opener ‘Gaslighting’ with its guitars and keyboards reminiscent of the Kinks and The Doors and scene-setting spoken word intro: “Brothers and sisters, we are gathered here together to witness/ The great congregation in this Aquarian age of communication and re-humanisation/The revolution will not be live-streamed across all social media platforms/You will receive no notifications/Only dehypnotisations, revelations and realisations”; catchy, melodic dance track ‘Waves’; the funk-synth-pop title track with its rhythmic bassline and chants of ‘Magic’; humorous video homage to a host of Indian musicians and Bollywood celebrities ‘Indian Record Player’; ‘Chura Liya (You Stole My Heart)’ with its novel combination of Mexican and Indian sound; waltzing, bluesy ballad ‘Stay With Me’ with its male-female vocal interplay; infectious ‘Happy Birthday’ with its hypnotic female vocals by Laboni Barua, adorned by sitar, finger cymbals and Hammond organ; powerful anti-war anthem ‘Idontwannapaymytaxes’; 'Whistle And I Will Come’ with its insinuating beat; 90s Britpop-style ‘Kalifornia Blues’; and the closer, ‘Give Me Tomorrow’ with its upbeat vibe. Energetic, with uplifting, thoughtful lyrics, ‘Natural Magick’ is sure to feature in the band’s UK and Europe tour starting in Cardiff on April 22.
Track Listing:-
1 Gaslighting2 Waves
3 Natural Magick
4 Indian Record Player
5 Chura Liya (You Stole My Heart)
6 Something Dangerous
7 Stay With Me Tonight
8 Happy Birthday
9 Idontwannapaymytaxes
10 F-Bombs
11 Whistle and I Will Come
12 Kalifornia Blues
13 Give Me Tomorrow
Band Links:-
http://www.kulashaker.co.uk/https://www.facebook.com/kulashaker/
https://twitter.com/kulashaker
Play in YouTube:-
Have a Listen:-
live reviews |
Roundhouse, London, 16/2/2016 |
It's been twenty years since Kula Shaker first rose to fame. They may not make the charts anymore, but Tom Fogarty at the Roundhouse in London finds that their following is still devoted |
bandcamp
soundcloud
reviews |
K2.0 (2016) |
Uplifting fifth album and first record in six years from 90's group, Kula Shaker |
most viewed articles
current edition
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #15- On Being Dignified and Old aka Ten Tips From Jah Wobble On How To Be Happy.The Church - Interview with Steve Kilbey
Simon Heavisides - Destiny Stopped Screaming: The Life and Times of Adrian Borland
Secret Shine - Interview
Vetchinsky Settings - Interview
Repomen - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Flaming Stars - Interview
Near Jazz Experience - Interview
Jack Roscoe - Interview
Sami Sumner - Interview
most viewed reviews
current edition
Kula Shaker - Natural MagickIan Hunter - Defiance Part 2: Fiction
Lewis 'Burner' Pugh - Bullets for Bread
Hillbilly Moon Explosion - Back in Time
Inutili - A Love Supreme
My Life Story - Loving You is Killing Me
Beyonce - Cowboy Carter
Smalltown Tigers - Crush On You
David Cross Band - Ice Blue Silver Sky
Ty Segall - Three Bells
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart