A Las Cinco En El Astoria  by La Oreja De Van Gogh

September 2008. San Sebastian holds its breath. La Oreja de Van Gogh, the band that dressed a generation's dreams with melodies, was on the brink after Amaia Montero's departure. However, at five in the afternoon, everything changed. A Las Cinco En El Astoria was not just an album; it was the gamble of an entire career.

At the historic Studio Du Manoir in France, under the guidance of Nigel Walker, the band 'locked in' their sound. Leire Martínez did not come to replace, but to rejuvenate. The musical style remained crystal clear: refined pop infused with indie-rock touches and a dose of nostalgic electronic aesthetic.

The cover, a cinematic shot at an intersection, showed the band moving forward, leaving the past behind. The response? A commercial typhoon. A Las Cinco En El Astoria went quadruple platinum, topping the charts from the first week. The single El Último Vals swept the radio, while Inmortal and the futuristic Europa VII proved that the magic of their lyrics remained intact. The sales confirmed the inevitable: La Oreja de Van Gogh still had much to tell us.