"Karma" is a song by American pop band AJR, appearing as the eighth track on their third studio album Neotheater. It is the second-most popular song from the album, amassing over 82 million streams as of February 2024.
| "Karma" | |
|---|---|
| Song by AJR | |
| from the album Neotheater | |
| Released | April 26, 2019 |
| Recorded | 2018 |
| Genre | Electropop[1] |
| Length | 4:05 |
| Label |
|
| Songwriter(s) |
|
| Producer(s) | Ryan Met |
| Audio | |
| "Karma" on YouTube | |
Background
edit"Karma" was the first song made for Neotheater, with Jack Met leading the song's writing. Following The Click (2017), Jack was frustrated that he didn't feel happiness after the band's newfound success, writing the song's chorus in early 2018.[2] "Karma" was written from the perspective of a patient in a therapist's office,[3] expressing an "unearned lack of good fortune"[4] The song's outro is lyrically filled with Jack going back and forth on his own thoughts and seeking affirmation from the therapist.[5] The song reached 10 million views on YouTube in July 2022.[6]
Composition and production
editThe song is composed in 4
4 time signature in the key of F-sharp major and follows a tempo of 156 beats per minute (bpm).[7] "Karma" instrumentally escalates as it progresses, building each verse with orchestral backings, choirs, and cowbell. The final section drops out most instrumentation in favor of Jack's crescendoing voice.[8] This section uses several vocal takes recorded in Portland[a] to artificially remove breathing noises, mimicking an emotional outburst. "Karma" additionally shares vocal and instrumental melodies with songs from the same album; "100 Bad Days" and "Turning Out Pt. II", respectively.[2]
Personnel
editCredits adapted from Tidal.[9]
- Adam Met – bass, backing vocals, composer
- Jack Met – lead vocals, instruments, composer
- Ryan Met – instruments, backing vocals, composer, producer, programming
- Chris Gehringer – mastering engineer
- Joe Zook – mixing engineer
- Ruth Kornblatt-Stier – cello
- Alba Avoricani – backing vocals
Charts
edit| Chart (2019) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[10] | 36 |
Footnotes
edit- ^ The band has not specified which Portland recording took place in.
References
edit- ^ Weinzapfel, Olivia (May 1, 2019). "AJR's 'Neotheater' provides songs for the subjective soul". Ball State Daily. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
- ^ a b AJR (April 29, 2019). AJR Breaks Down Their New Album Neotheater (YouTube video). Zach Sang Show. Event occurs at 25:41. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
- ^ Smith, Katy (February 22, 2021). "The mythos of AJR's new single". The Anchor. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
- ^ Dolan, Jon (April 26, 2019). "Review: AJR Dance Through Coming of Age Reality on 'Neotheater'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
- ^ Muller, Robert (January 9, 2023). "Where is the Karma?". The Trauma and Mental Health Report. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
- ^ Hughes, Emily (July 26, 2022). "20 Songs About Karma". Musical Mum. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
- ^ Met, Ryan (May 11, 2020). "Breaking down the production of Karma & Pitchfork Kids" (YouTube video). Retrieved February 1, 2024.
- ^ Davis, Talia (May 1, 2019). "AJR takes a risk with a new but familiar sound on new album". The Breeze. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
- ^ "Credits / Neotheater / AJR". Tidal. April 26, 2019. Retrieved January 16, 2023.
- ^ "AJR Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 1, 2024.