SINGLE REVIEW|KULA SHAKER|”CHARGE OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE”

Kula Shaker’s sound is more powerful than ever with the return of Hammond organ maestro Jay Darlington, who spent a decade working with Oasis and the Gallagher brothers. This marks the first time since 1999’s Peasants, Pigs & Astronauts that all four members of the band’s classic lineup have reunited. Their long-overdue return at last appears, and with it comes a sonic power that’s thrillingly new and yet, at the same time, contains an aura that is so nice and ageless.

Their latest offering warmly invites the listener aboard for a thrilling ride that’s only three minutes long but one that takes them instantly deeply into a fascinating and kaleidoscopic aural universe that not only charms but positively involves and challenges all the senses right up to their full capacity, providing an experience that’s both immersive and unforgettable. Richly woven into this piece are intricate allusions to the Celtic mystical world, merging the enigmatic presence of spiritual vampires with the entrancing magic associated with fairies. The result is an exquisitely detailed tapestry, otherworldly yet unmistakably rooted in their signature sound.

“It’s cutting off toxic habits, whether it’s personal relationships or on a social front. It’s trying to break that pattern, that conflict to be ‘no contact’ from toxic habits,” Crispian told us in our recent interview. “This single is for people who understand this kind of abuse that’s going on. Trying to act as the resistance. Music is a weapon against those sort of things, not just a tonic, not like a drug that you take to escape; it’s refusal and a way of fighting back. It’s a weapon against the things that weigh us down.”

Rather than standing alone as an isolated track, this song is an energising overture, paving the way for a collection of new material destined for their highly anticipated eighth studio album. While the album’s title remains tantalisingly under wraps, the music teases glimpses of a bold and innovative direction. Kula Shaker masterfully blends their signature psychedelia with rich, contemporary textures, elevating the spiritual and mythical tones that have long defined their individuality in the musical world.

The return of Jay Darlington is a milestone for the band, revitalising the magic that characterised their classic lineup. The chemistry between Crispian Mills’ emotive vocals and Darlington’s distinctive Hammond organ harmonies creates a mesmerising sonic tapestry, akin to a cosmic waltz, underscored by Alonza Bevan’s dynamic bass lines and Paul Winter-Hart’s commanding drumbeats. Together, the band crafts a deeply immersive experience in this track, weaving raw rock energy with transcendental spirituality to enthral listeners. If you’re into the late-60s psychedelic sound, Kula Shaker’s new track is bound to strike a chord. Much of their music has a timeless quality that recalls the soulful elegance of George Harrison’s mid-70s work, evoking nostalgia while embracing a bold, contemporary edge.

Kula Shaker has ingeniously interwoven raga-inspired melodies with cosmic pop vibrations, layered over their psychedelic core. The result is a vibrant and dynamic new sound that bewitches from the outset. This latest track, paired with the growing anticipation for their forthcoming album, solidifies the band’s status as true sonic alchemists, creating music that transcends enchantment to resonate profoundly with both heart and soul.

I sat down with Crispian Mills and Jay Darlington at their Sheffield leg of the Ocean Colour Scene Tour. Read the interview here. Kula Shaker and Ocean Colour Scene will play London tonight and the following dates below. Tickets via here.

04 APR LONDON 02 ACADEMY BRIXTON

05 APR SWANSEA ARENA

07 APR TRURO HALL FOR CORNWALL

08 APR PLYMOUTH PAVILIONS

09 APR BRISTOL BEACON

11 APR CAMBRIDGE CORN EXCHANGE

12 APR MANCHESTER 02 APOLLO

13 APR NOTTINGHAM ROCK CITY

15 APR GLASGOW 02 ACADEMY

16 APR GLASGOW 02 ACADEMY

18 APR ABERDEEN MUSIC HALL

19 APR DUNFERMLINE ALHAMBRA