Crystal Fighters - Cave Rave ♫ ALBUM

Crystal Fighters Cave Rave (Atlantic 2013)

When I first moved to London nearly two years ago, its fair to say I struggled to adapt to my new surroundings. It had always been a dream of mine to move to the capital and when that time came to pack up my life and move, I was ready for it. For some reason though, as I started my new life away from home, I found it extremely difficult to settle. It wasn't the city that was the problem for me, it was what I had left behind; the people. You can spend years building relationships with people only to move away and it to be forgotten. It was at this period in my life that I listened to Crystal Fighters first album Star of Love, and in particular their song At Home. It really struck a chord with me and I completely got what they were trying to achieve. Now, I couldn't be happier with my situation, I adore living in London and I still love that first album.

Back with their second album Cave Rave, i've already got many of the tracks on my 'SUMMER' Spotify playlist and that is exactly how I would describe the album: perfect summer listening. I was quite surprised by some early negative reviews of the album criticising the bands flowery lyrics and use of genre-mixing in different songs because that is what I LOVE about the band. You know you're not going to get a straight up dance record or Mumford & Sons-esque folk from start to beginning. You don't know what the hell you're going to listen too. Alright, so Cave Rave may have found itself falling slightly victim to that tetchy difficult second album syndrome due to it following in the footsteps of an album featuring delights such as Champion Sound, I Love London and Plage, but that doesn't mean it should be written off after a first listen.

Crystal Fighters at Lovebox festival 2012

Although admittedly a slow burner, I personally find the finished product a whole lot more polished and enjoyable than their first album. The firecracker that is LA Calling next to simplistic first single You & I demonstrates the bands perfect knack of bringing the sunshine to their listeners through their spanish influenced sound. Whilst tracks such as No Man and Love Natural are irresistible bangers that are likely to have you at least tapping your foot enthusiastically (if say, you're in an environment that would frown upon jumping around like a mad person) within seconds of opening. If its an album you're looking for full of emotive lyrics that will keep you thinking for days, this ones probably not for you. But, if like me, you're a sucker for songs that will make you feel pretty euphoric when you're dancing around a festival crowd like a dick head, then this will be music for your ears.