Some of the songs on “Symbionts” go back to 2021 — a time when KARABA F.C.’s previous EP “April Dancer” hadn’t even come out. “We started writing the oldest tracks as early as 2021, back when our previous EP ‘April Dancer’ wasn’t even released yet,” they explain. “So some tracks we’ve been refining for a while, some others are much newer and were finished right before going into the recording studio in the summer of 2024.” The idea wasn’t to stretch or overthink it, but to push everything to the limit. “There was some trial and error in the process, because we wanted the record to be as dense as possible – a kind of ‘all killer no filler’ thing. We wanted catchy toplines, earworms, great riffs, emotion and energy galore. No rest, no compromise, all-in.”
Musically, “Symbionts” brings in a really interesting blend that makes it hard to put this band into any specific box — there’s a lot going on here, from indie rock, emo punk, to post-hardcore. That’s always a good thing in my book; it keeps your head busy and makes the whole listen feel more like a little adventure. Different moods, shifting tempos — you can just throw it on and see where it takes you.
Thematically, “Symbionts” moves between loss, anxiety, and grief — the weight of recent years compressed into direct, melodic forms. “The lyrics mainly discuss loss, anxiety, grief, difficult times we had to get through in recent years,” they note. Still, the album never sits entirely in the dark. “We wanted the tracks to sound equally emotional and catchy; our music has always had an ‘indie rock’ vibe to it, that was very important for us in the writing process.” It’s not about resignation but endurance: “The general feel is that despite everything, it will all be alright in the end as long as we stick together – at least that’s all we can hope for.” That sense of mutual dependence inspired the title. “‘Symbionts’ refers to organisms living in symbiosis and depending on each other to thrive.”
The visual side of the record carries the same organic sensibility. The cover art, a photograph by Grégoire Delanos, was chosen for its tactile imperfection. “He specializes in photos of nature. He uses this technique that consists in adding organic elements (soil, branches etc) to the film soup when developing the pictures,” the band explains. “As a result, micro organisms ‘attack’ the film, creating incredible texture effects. It’s really outstanding work and it completely matches the vibe we were looking for for the artwork: organic, soothing, blurry – not unlike the feelings you experience when you’re either blissful or disoriented. It’s really happy-sad, just like we intend our music.”
Their references outline a clear sonic compass: State Faults (“Clairvoyant”, “Children of the Moon”), Touché Amoré (“Lament”), Fiddlehead (“Death Is Nothing To Us”), Ojne (“Prima Che Tutto Bruci”), Loma Prieta (“Last”), Birds In Row (“Split”), and Yarostan (“II”).
Each of those influences can be heard across the tracklist — filtered, rephrased, and reshaped through the band’s own version of melodic tension and release.
“Neighbours” is the oldest track on the record and has been part of their live sets since 2022. “It pretty much sums up the themes of the record: verses are about feeling lost and desperate, and choruses are about friendships that help you through all this.” They also shot a music video for it in the studio where the album was recorded.
“Trails” deals with persistence and the weight of personal history. “It’s a song about carrying on despite past mistakes, regrets and judgment from people you love,” they say. “The background to the lyrics is quite sad but the song altogether is catchy and fun, especially the climactic ending – there are some sassy ‘can’t stop don’t stop won’t stop’ buried somewhere in the mix!”
“Celebrate” takes grief and redirects it toward resilience. “A song about grief and finding the strength to overcome it,” they explain. “Musically one of our favourites, with a catchy chorus, a super fast second verse with hardcore-punk drums, and an anthemic ending with gang vocals.”
“Even Summer” stays closer to straightforward reflection: “a pretty straightforward tune about moments where life just doesn’t make any sense, influenced by post-rock and shoegaze but with a 90s alt rock twist.”
“Always Aging” channels frustration into acceptance. “One of the angrier songs on the record, about time passing and cherishing the moments with your loved ones, even when they’re gone.”
“Aftersun” brings a different tone, softer but emotionally raw. “Possibly the indiest track on the record, despite quite depressing lyrics about feeling lost sentimentally,” they add. Its title nods to Charlotte Wells’ film, “where the main character is suffering from severe depression.”
“Life” looks straight at the difficulty of holding yourself together. “Sometimes you have to convince yourself that it will all come together in the end, even when you’re on the brink of completely falling apart. It’s one of the hardest things to do – and almost impossible on your own.” For the band, it’s “one of our favourite tracks lyrically and musically, a real emotional high.”
“Happy” shifts to near silence before swelling back. “The first half of the song is the quietest moment on the album, just guitar and voice – something we hadn’t done up until now,” they say. “It’s a love song in disguise: everything around us is depressing and oppressive, ‘but with you, I can live’.”
The record closes with “Tides”, also the lead single. Its story comes from a deeply personal place. “Our singer Emile started having severe tinnitus a couple of years back, and thought he might lose his hearing or not be able to play music any longer,” the band explains. “It’s got better since but it’s something he will probably have to live with forever. The song is about this, hanging on to hope in desperate times and finding strength in your loved ones.”
“Symbionts” isn’t about showing off a style — it’s just a bunch of songs about getting through stuff, leaning on people around you, and trying to make sense of things along the way.
