Tropics
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FLAKO
Tropics, a.k.a. 25 year old Chris Ward, had a big 2011, coming from nowhere to wide praise and exposure in a few short months. Picked up early on as an outstanding talent for his lush and highly melodic dreampop, which Pitchfork labeled “intoxicating and memorably tuneful”, he went on to drop both an EP and the critically acclaimed album Parodia Flare with Planet Mu.
Following a year of touring, dropping the archive collection Nautical Clamour, and turning in remixes for Little Dragon, M83 & Polica, he had his biggest success to date with November’s Popup Cinema EP on enigmatic Serbian imprint Svetlana Industries, the label responsible for launching the careers of Nightwave and Teebs. The EP sees Ward’s touchingly soft vocals begin to take centre stage in his sound, and hints at greater things to come.
‘Compellingly lush’ -Pitchfork
‘Impressive stuff’ -Paul Lester, The Guardian
Plus support from FLAKO
Support comes from fLako
Unintentionally off-the-grid and committed to his personal sound evolution, Flako is more of a Soul-documentarian than a typical beat maker. With roots in Chile, raised in Germany, and currently living in London via Berlin – the man himself is a melange of flavor. His particular sonic palette is a mercurial blend of warm analogue colors and cutting-edge design. His writing is marked by manifest emotion.
In a world jaded – caustic with sarcasm and packaged in plastic, he’s an example of an artist who’s fearless with his humanity. Not a fiend for the limelight, there’s no gimmick to his craft – ’cause in the end it’s all about an honest, well written tune.