Call On Karma by The Exhales: Review

by Gabe Finch January 6, 2023

January 6, 2023

Call On Karma by The Exhales: Review

The indie rock quartet, “The Exhales,” formed in Glasgow in the midst of COVID-19 in 2021, emerged into the Scottish music scene in early 2022, when they had their first taste of success by selling out their first gig at the iconic “King Tuts Wah Wah Hut” as part of the New Year’s Resolutions festival. This catapulted them into a successful musical journey by solidifying relationships with some of Scotland’s heavyweight promoters.

This song in particular, “Call on Karma,” is a solid alternative indie rock track. With the metaphoric and well-structured lyrics and equally well-crafted instrumental choices, such as the robust drumming and the crisp electric guitar tone, the song tells a beautifully harmonic story with the vocal techniques, the masterful lyricism, and the brilliant composition. The sound is similar to many “Kings of Leon” tracks, and the vocalist, with his little quirks, also has a strange similarity with “The Fray” vocalist Isaac Slade.

What will surely draw listeners to this track despite the catchy melodic hooks and the headbanging-worthy drumming are the fun little additions added by the vocalist. The spontaneous trill in the middle of the electric guitar solo and the little “let’s go” before diving into said solo are unexpected things musicians can add into their songs, and that’s exactly what makes this particular piece so beautiful and so original.

The lyrics, the melody, and the voice were all immensely stunning and hooked me till the final note. However, what I love the most about this track is that it’s honest, and it’s obvious that the members are passionate and clearly having fun without taking it too seriously.