Star of Love

Star of Love

Star of Love is not only an impressive full-length debut from Spanish (by way of London) “folktronic” group Crystal Fighters, but it’s extremely well-crafted; the superb sequencing and the crisp, sparkling production allow the quartet and their wide-ranging ideas to shine. Where they might have blurred genre boundaries into a messy pastiche without a narrative, Star of Love blooms like a bud captured in slow motion, morphing from one stage to the next with utter grace. Traditionally Basque instruments (the percussive txlaparta, which is comprised of wooden blocks, plus acoustic guitars, woodwinds, tambourines) give way to electro-clash and dubstep flavors (synths, reverb, heavy bass, vocal chants), while on some tunes a hip-hop soul is palpable. The group’s singles, including their smash club-hit “I Love London” are not the only stars here; “I Do This Everyday” is a relentless, M.I.A-like stomper that will put your Zumba routine to shame, while the acoustic twitterings of “Plage” and “At Home” are as lovely as a summer frolic in an Alpine meadow. Basquetronica? Sure. Why not?

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