Album Review

Is Tropical – Native To

• 7th Jun 2011

Using the digitally toed, forlorn Pet Shop Boys flavoured with a bit of a Ladytron lean of prime single, ‘South Pacific’ to lead off their debut album, is a wise choice by this foraging electro-indie, London three piece. Dom Barber’s reassuring, hovering vocals coast along on the crest of a spacey electro slanted instrumental. It’s contrasted by the dreamy, down-tempo electronica of ‘Land Of The Nod’. Chiming, twisting beleaguered disco beams out through, ‘Lies’ and a Phil Oakley lag attaches to the vocals of Barber. Early on, an ability to mix the well textured with the uneven and the upbeat along with the reflective, is a striking feature.

‘What???’ is winding dance pop that has an epic feel to it, featuring some neat rhythmic interludes. This builds into the fuzzy pop pearl ‘Clouds’, filtering in chugging beats around a slow paced, stammering vocal push. The songs are generally well textured and use the punch of simple lyrics to create an accessible and catchy vibe. A The Cribs trying their hand at synth indie-pop is the overall vibe given off by the snazzy, ‘Take My Chances’. Robust synth manipulation and coaxed beats open the door for the lethargic lag of Barber, ‘Oranges’ conjuring up a heart-tugging electro-ballad:

“You’ve been holdin’ onto to your own dreams for far too long:

Forgot the real good ace.”

With several catchy, coasting singles in the bag (including the indie-pop pearl of ‘When O’ When that didn’t make this album), Is Tropical have managed to instil some brooding reflection to give the album some depth. A nifty New Order in the chill-out zone along with an M83 slants, lends a soothing, yet mysterious kick to ‘Berlin’. Spasmodic energy of the Shy Child sharing a cab with The Coral ilk, spews out of the rugged, robust and random, ‘Seasick Mutiny’ putting the lid on an explorative debut album.

4/5