Star Tropics - Lost World (2017)

Rambling the familiar hills of wistful indie pop are Chicago-based combo Star Tropics, who deliver their debut LP, Lost World, via the Shelflife label. Forming the group in 2012, guitarist Scott Hibbits and bassist/singer Loren Vanderbilt turned a chance meeting over a rare Smiths B-side into a gigging quartet with the addition of drummer Dan Julien and singer/guitarist Nikki Navarro. Star Tropics took things slowly over the next few years, issuing a pair of 7" singles and quietly shaping their affable intertwining of vintage dream pop, mid-fi indie, and a dash of light shoegaze. With Lost World, their first broad statement, Star Tropics offer nine tracks of sunny guitar jangle, intimate boy/girl vocals, and surprisingly robust production that further refine the approach laid out on their early tracks. From the winsome instrumental opener, "Windfall," to the autumnal dark pop of "Chapel Hill," it's clear where their allegiances lie as they expertly re-create so many of the sounds and moods of college radio circa 1985-1990. Echoes of Britain's C-86 scene and the softer elements of bands like the Feelies and the Ocean Blue can be heard in the group's melodicism and light tone. Even their heavily gated drum sounds hark back to this specific era of production, making the whole affair feel a bit like a period piece. While there are certainly some well-crafted melodies and strong guitar work here, Star Tropics' pursuit and achievement of nearly replicating their pop heyday of choice almost negates whatever new personality they could have brought to the table. Fans of vintage guitar-driven indie pop may well find comfort in Star Tropics' attention to detail, but with the apparent talent they possess, it seems like they should be capable of something more distinctive.

TRACKLIST

01. Windfall
02. Lost World
03. Another Sunny Day
04. All the Way to Heaven
05. Sparrow
06. Wildfire
07. Chapel Hill
08. Summer Rain
09. Gemini