Review

Tropic of Cancer

Restless Idylls

Blackest Ever Black • 2013

Forgive me, dear reader, for sounding like a phrasemonger: but everyone mourns in a different way. This statement appears to be somewhat useless but it’s essential for approaching Tropic Of Cancer’s new record. »Restless Idylls« is built on grief. It’s not the kind of sorrow that dashes, screams and cries; it’s grief that has settled, that one carries around forever, stoically. The post-punk inspired bass-lines are gurgling slowly, the synths are spreading widely, while the drums are tapping steadily, consistently. Meanwhile, Camella Lobo’s vocals are getting lost in the valleys and echo back from the depths. The structure that Camella Lobo has given her songs underlines the thesis stated at the beginning: But even though the songs seem to be dragging themselves along, they appear to be floating at the same time. The grief doesn’t kill them anymore but it’s still resonating through each and every part. With her mix of post-punk, minimalistic post-wave, ambient and crypt-groove, Lobo basically puts a coffin on the dancefloor. The musician from L.A. has stated that her debut »Restless Idylls« is to underline the light within her music – but when listening to the record that can only imply that the funeral is a sunny one. The first track is called »Plant Lilies On My Head« – it’s not exactly »good day sunshine«, let’s leave it at that. Those asking for purple-cloudy-YOLO-sound will definitely not find it on this record. But those who find pleasure in the weight of the world will get lost in this album.

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