Cristobal and the Sea – Peach Bells EP

Album Review by George Sully | 24 Nov 2014
Album title: Peach Bells EP
Artist: Cristobal and the Sea
Label: City Slang
Release date: 8 Dec

Wryly labelling themselves as “tropicalia pop” (“apparently”, says their Facebook), London-based Cristobal and the Sea (aka CATS) don’t take themselves too seriously. But, their impressively pan-European roster (Spain, Portugal, Corsica, and Britain) infuses this debut EP Peach Bells with such a rustic, sunkissed personality, opening track Gardens pretty much transports you to a dusky San Tropez bar and keeps you there for the next four numbers.

Equal parts continentally passionate and warmly playful, Peach Bells hops from cheeky bossa nova (Violet Tear) to foot-stomping flamenco (My Love (Ay Ay Ay)) and sweltering psychedelia (Zorro), with flute and Latin yelps mixing with classical Spanish guitar and dreamy melodies. It’s a simple formula but fortunately never feels like a cheap gimmick. [George Sully]

http://www.cityslang.com/cristobal-and-the-sea