Nine studio albums is an incredible feat for any band. Add immense talent to the track record and it’s a wonder why Tropidelic isn’t more of a mainstream name by now. Of course, any band that takes the ‘reggae’ route in America is, somewhat discriminately, kept from the radio waves and spotlight nine times out of 10, but hey — those who do it right have a stranglehold on the niche market.
And Tropidelic is one of those bands whose earned their spot at the top.
Fusing high-energy ethos and hip hop style into traditional reggae rhythms, the Cleveland-based band is as eclectic as it gets. One minute, their music is otherworldly and angelic; the next, it’s in-your-face aggressive. That’s why fans have flocked to and stuck with Trop from day one — they’re the band that always keeps you guessing.
Fast-forward to the drop of their much-anticipated ninth album, First Light — now available as of today. After teasing the release with singles like “Out There”, a song that’s already garnered over 2.1 million streams on Spotify, fans are reveling in the full rundown, with songs like “Up In Smoke” and “Drift” featuring Cali reggae staple Fortunate Youth.
From start to finish, the album plays like an encouraging pep talk.
Who are you, really? What do you want? Once you figure it out, lead single “Out There” motivates you to “keep your head up // don’t slow down” as you go after it, while songs like “No Fear” and “Follow Your Nature” (featuring Collie Buddz and Eli-Mac) say “stay laced up” and treat music as your medicine when in doubt.
Speaking of spots on the album, First Light comes fully loaded. There’s Little Stranger coming in with big hip hop energy on “Holiday”, rapping on how it feels good to be a band who’s made the big times. But like all bands, there’s nothing like coming back home after a road well-traveled, with The Quasi Kings helping drive that message with Tropidelic in “Home To You”.
With incredible production quality and musicianship, First Light showcases yet another new side to the already multi-dimensional band. Want to see it in-person? Lucky for you, Tropidelic is set to celebrate the album release by hitting the road starting August 5th, following a July 30th performance at their own Everwild Music Festival — an event they’ve single-handedly curated in Thornville, Ohio for five consecutive years now. For more information on the fest, the tour, or to stream the album today, make sure to check out the links below.
Tropidelic – “Out There”
Track listing:
- Signals, feat. The Movement
- Out There
- No Fear
- Home To You, feat. The Quasi Kings
- Follow Your Nature, feat. Collie Buddz & Eli-Mac
- Drift, feat. Fortunate Youth
- Holiday, feat. Little Stranger
- Up In Smoke
- Cactus
- Come Along
- Therefore I Am
- Dancing With The Ghost
Stream ‘First Light’ album on Spotify:
Cover photo by Benjamin Koelling (@benko.creative)
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Disclaimer: All views presented in this album review are those of the reviewer and not necessarily those of Top Shelf Music.
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