REVIEW: FERRIS AND SYLVESTER – MADE IN STREATHAM (2018)

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More classy stuff from London duo

Released in the summer of last year, “The Yellow Line”, the first EP from London duo Ferris And Sylvester was extremely  impressive. “This is obviously just their debut release, but there is every reason to think that following Ferris And Sylvester might be a lot of fun. You probably won’t be able to second guess them, and there is a real feeling that here they are only getting started,” chirruped our review, and happily it turns out we were right – on all fronts.

This follow five tracker is indeed a little more carefree and seemingly less confessional than the debut, but this is even more sun dappled and soulful. “Better In Yellow” the lead track on “Made In Streatham” is – even when writing this on a freezing January night – a slice of summer. The guitar work is superb and the message of positivity and individuality here is something we can all get behind.

The skill of Issy Ferris and Archie Sylvester is that they can do so much more. If the opener is more Laurel Canyon than East London, then “Sometimes” reveals a different side. The harmonies between the two are classy, but there is a half-spoken delivery that makes this a little more personal in tone.

The harmonica drenched “The Room” is a wonderful piece of Americana – British style. It is the small details, “we rent a room down in Streatham Hill above a barber’s shop” sings Ferris and instantly you are hooked by the narrative, and that’s before the blues tinged tune has kicked in.

“Loser” is stripped down to basics. Acoustics and mournful strings abound, and the simplicity of the music is reflected in the stark message in the lyrics, while the infectious “London’s Blues” is more than the closer. The old-time country feel is like something that Sam Phillips might have made in Sun Studios back in a bygone era. For all that though, it belongs in the now. That is the gift of F&E.

Two EP’s of rare quality mean it is time to get pretty excited. “Better In Yellow”? Nah, they’re already better than the competition, “Made In Streatham” proves that. One of the most promising bands in Britain is right here.

Rating 8.5/10

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