Ella Selfe
Futures have only been around for three years, but it sure seems like a lot longer. Their debut mini-album,’The Holiday’, was self-released in 2010 as a free CD in issue 133 of Rock Sound Magazine and resulted in the issue becoming the most sold copy in two years. ‘The Holiday’ was extremely well received with mostly positive reviews leading to sold out shows and a record contract with Mercury Records.
However, in April this year, the band announced that they had left Mercury Records and were launching their own independent label; Indigo Records; on which their second album, ‘The Karma Album’, would be released.
After such early success, there has been massive anticipation for ‘The Karma Album’ and it is safe to say that it does not disappoint. It is clear that the band has grown in both confidence and talent and it is undoubtedly a record to be proud of.
Start A Fire is a great and confident album opener, and it is immediately evident that these tracks are bigger and better than anything the band has done in the past. The opening provides a Kids In Glass Houses sort of vibe and it is a track that could easily be pictured being received with nothing but positivity at a sold out show or festival. This track already puts the rest of the record in awesome stead.
Islands In The Sea shows that Futures definitely still have their own unique sound under their belt. At first it reminds me of the tracks on their debut album ‘The Holiday’, but the development of Ant West’s vocals in the past two years is undeniable. The chorus is extremely catchy and the guitar talent shines in this song, making it another impressive tune to tap your toe along to.
Karma Satellite begins slower than the first two tracks with just Ant’s voice accompanied by the piano, before bursting into a full-blown tune with the entire band. It easily shows off the talent of all the members whilst giving the song depth, achieved both with the melody and the lyrics. The multi-dimensional vocals give the song the extra bit of power it deserves, making it an excellent and worthy song for the record.
Million Lights starts off similarly to ‘Karma Satellite’, but with the soft strumming of a guitar in place of the piano. It is a softer song, but still just as impressive. It creates a contrast to the power of the previous track Indigo, but continues to show off the talent of the band. It has a similar sound to the songs of Francesqa, but is certainly still a Futures track.
The eighth song on the album is a re-recording of 2010’s single The Boy Who Cried Wolf. As it is another version of an older song, this track shows the development of the band more than any other. The vocals and instruments are more impressive and it is clearly evident that the boys have grown both musically and as a group. It is a bigger, better version of the track and is still just as, if not more, catchy.
We Had It All is a great acoustic track with Ant’s voice sounding almost 3-dimensional. This song is evidence that the band are great at both big festival tracks as well as those which are totally stripped down, showing the band’s versatility as well as their talent.
The last track on the album is Today We Had Love which is a perfect closer for a brilliant album. It is a true Futures track with a catchy melody and great lyrics. The song peaks powerfully at every chorus and the impressive guitar riffs along with the flawless vocals come together to make a great finale.
Futures should be insanely proud of The Karma Album. Every song shows nothing but increasing talent and development in the two years since ‘The Holiday’. All of the 12 tracks combine brilliant vocals, riffs, melodies and lyrics and complement each other to create an excellent and impressive record. It is easily an album that could be played on repeat all summer.
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