Album Review: San Fermin, Belong

While chamber pop hit its commercial peak around a decade ago, creatively, the genre has continued to churn out some enticing, or at the very least, interesting albums. Following the release of their self-titled 2013 debut, Brooklyn’s San Fermin emerged as one of the leaders of the current scene (even though they hate the label) and have delivered meticulously crafted tunes by the boat-load ever since. The brainchild of composer Ellis Ludwig-Leone, the band are now on album number three, which proves a typically ambitious offering.
Playful (‘August’), powerful (‘Oceania’) and passionate (‘Better Company’), the opus is impeccably performed. At its finest when San Fermin indulge their pop influences, the mesmerising melodies of ‘Perfume’ and ‘No Promises’ call to mind Haim and could crack the mainstream. Also deserving of a mention is the orchestral gem ‘Dead’; reminiscent of early Veruca Salt and boasting dazzling vocals from Charlene Kaye, it’s a game changer.