The Karma Effect are proud to share new single “Waiting on a Miracle”, the first glimpse of fresh studio material from the acclaimed young British band since last year’s show-stopping sophomore album “Promised Land” unexpectedly gatecrashed the Top 20 Official UK Album Chart.
The South London blues rockers – Henry Gottelier (vocals/guitar), Robbie Blake (guitar), Nathan Keevil (bass), Alan Taylor (drums) & Tom Pitt (keyboards) – have also today announced the first details of their eagerly-awaited third studio album, “Cruel Intentions”, which is set for release on May 15th, 2026, via Earache Records .
With his breathtaking vocals propelling today’s first single release, frontman Henry says: “‘Waiting on a Miracle’ is an uplifting, vintage-soaked rock ‘n’ roll anthem, built on everything we love about classic rock and driven by a hard-hitting riff that channels that unmistakable American sound. Lyrically, the song tells the story of a down-and-out underdog – someone written off as a loser, constantly on the wrong side of luck. But just when the odds seem set, he flips the script, gets the girl, and ends up living a moment that feels like magic. It’s a celebration of unexpected victories and the belief that something better is always just around the corner”.
“Waiting on a Miracle” sees the band take the bluesy swagger of Creedence Clearwater Revival, the loose, funky horn lines of The Rolling Stones’ “Exile on Main Street” and the iconic “Margarita Horns” sound of Aerosmith’s Fairbarn years and turn those influences into something uniquely theirs.
Watch the official video for “Waiting on a Miracle” below.
The Karma Effect kicked off recording in The Hive Rooms (in the shadow of Gatwick Airport) at the start of July 2025, emerging blinking into the sunlight with a fully realised third studio album just four weeks later.
“Cruel Intentions” boasts eleven rollicking new anthems (or twelve if you cadge the bonus edition), including “Waiting on a Miracle”, and its release in Spring 2026 follows last year’s Top 20 album “Promised Land”, a record that saw the band striding confidently into their role as one of British guitar music’s most exciting outfits. “We want every show to feel massive!”, says an ambitious Henry.
The new album is a collection which captures the visceral atmosphere of the band’s lauded live performances and is without a doubt the most complete, crystal clear realisation of the band’s ambitions yet: leaner, louder, heavier and joyously larger-than-life. Exploring love, lust and danger, with dark passion and flashes of cheekiness, these new songs balance swagger and wit. The band’s modus operandi is ‘modern vintage’, a desire to polish up the retro sounds they were raised on into something gleaming and modern.
“This album is the culmination of everything we have”, says singer Henry Gottelier. “While collaborating again with producer Michael Charman, we brought in mercury and GRAMMY nominated Romesh Dodangoda specifically for the mix, because we were obsessed with making every single note count. The result is a sound so big, it’s a stadium experience for your ears”.
“Cruel Intentions” is available to pre-order here on signed editions, limited alt artwork editions, limited coloured vinyl and more.
Tracklist:
1. Ride or Die
2. Dangerous Love
3. Lady Bohemian
4. Raised on Rock ‘n’ Roll
5. Bad Manners
6. Closest Thing to Crazy
7. Waiting on a Miracle
8. Better Luck Next Time
9. Long Gone
10. Cruel Intentions
11. One More for the Road
Live Shows 2025:
Sun 30 Nov – Planet Rockstock, Trecco Bay
Thur 13 Dec – The Hairy Dog, Derby
Live Show 2026:
Sat 07 Feb 2026 – Rockmantic Weekender, The Brickyard, Carlisle
Tickets here.
Weblinks:
thekarmaeffect.co.uk
www.facebook.com/thekarmaeffectuk
