Following
the two fantastic singles that the band has put out in the past,
Shelflife (US) and Fastcut Records (Japan) are incredibly excited to be
releasing the debut full-length by Chicago’s Star Tropics.
Lost World cements the band’s pop songwriting prowess, and its nine
tracks all have equal likelihood of ending up ingrained in your brain..
Formed after a chance meeting thanks to an early Smiths b-side, Star Tropics
have been playing shows since 2012, including a performance at the 2013
NYC Popfest. Their previously released singles “By My Side” (b/w
“Tempest”) and “Summer Rain” (b/w “Swept Away”) have established Star Tropics
as a group that fans of dreamy, jangly pop need to keep their eyes on.
With Lost World, the band is here to show established followers and
newly earned fans alike that their talent isn’t just confined to
singles. Featuring “Summer Rain” seated comfortably beside eight new
songs, the album sees Star Tropics
perfecting their already sharpened craft. The band has said that their
sound can be characterized as “equal parts celebratory and
introspective,” a description that holds truer than ever on the new LP.
“Windfall,” the album’s first track (and only instrumental), wastes no
time in enveloping the listener in warm nostalgia. Lush guitars are
painted over with a Rickenbacker lead and refreshingly melodic bassline;
all of which are sounds that the group employs beautifully throughout
Lost World as a whole. Like many smart bands, though, Star Tropics
don’t play all their cards right off the bat. It’s not until the third
track, “Another Sunny Day,” that we hear the tandem vocals of guitarist
Nikki and bassist Loren in full effect. The gentleness of their voices
blend together beautifully, a strength that the band is acutely aware
of. “All The Way To Heaven” sees them both trade off and join together
on vocal duties in a way that brings to mind English indie-poppers
Veronica Falls. Lost World is packed with captivating guitar leads and
melodies, equally jangly and shimmering, that provide the perfect
palette on which Nikki and Loren can mix even more infectious vocal
colors. Even when they opt for the solo vocals, like Nikki’s on album
centerpiece “Sparrow,” these songs shine. Star Tropics
have created something memorable with Lost World, and it will be stuck
with you long after listening, whether you like it or not—but we’re
willing to bet on the former.
ARTIST: Star Tropics
ALBUM: Lost World
LABEL: Shelflife Records
RELEASE DATE: July 7th
FORMATS: CD / LP / Digital Download
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