Back in 2016, Kula Shaker were in Birmingham celebrating the 20th anniversary of their “K” album.
That night, I wrote this: “An evening that proves what everyone that is now of a…..”certain age”….always knew. Crispin Mills and the boys were always apart from their Brit Rock, TFI-dwelling contemporaries and they were doing something truly fresh. Even two decades later it sounds that way, and Kula Shaker are well, just cool.”
I was 21 the year it came out and it was an album that got to me because it was different. The bands I loved then were taking music and doing something I hadn’t heard before.
Fast forward to 2024 and we’re all a lot older, no wiser, but Kula Shaker still are. Indeed, “Natural Magick” might be the best thing they’ve ever done.
“Gaslighting” has a Stonesy strut and a middle finger in the air to the man. These are children of the impotent revolution, but they know all you need is love. And who cares with a Hammond Organ solo like this fucker.
“Waves” has a jangle, but a groove. It’s also timeless in that you think they are all covers The title cut – as it should do – represents the album as a whole. Swagger, catchier than COVID and twice as dirty.
They just have a gift, the harmonies alone on “Indian Record Player” are enough to make you brim-full of Asha, as it were, and that’s before the lush strings. And things get all a bit Tex Mex on “Chura Liyra (You Stole My Heart)” The thought that this could have come out at any point in rock history (and still sounded ace) is underlined by the brilliant, blissed-out “Something Dangerous”, come for the chorus, stay for the harmonica and if most of the record is raucous fun, then when they slow it down on “Stay With Me Tonight” you realise how skilled they are.
Of course, it wouldn’t be Kula Shaker without a Krishna song, and “Happy Birthday” is that “Idontwannapaymytaxes” rather it makes itself plain. But not as plain as “F Bombs”. The best thing here by miles, it’s part Gil Scott Heron Jazz and part punk rock. 2024 sucks ass, this is its soundtrack.
And speaking of soundtracks “Whistle and I Will Come” sounds like it should be on one. “Kalifornia Blues” is a clever ballad too, and “Give Me Tomorrow” is like going back to the future.
And there’s a bit of that about the whole record, except it’s rooted in “now” – back to the present you might say?
Whatever, this is more than “Oh, K” in every way.
Rating 9/10
REVIEW: KULA SHAKER – NATURAL MAGICK (2024)
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