Rapture (LP)

Sadness, sensuality, and soulfulness seem to comprise the holy trinity for sleepy British synth pop artist Tropics (Chris Ward) on his sophomore LP Rapture. Like the name he's chosen for his artistic pursuits, winter has little place in Ward's music, which steams and sweats with a lush, late-night humidity. It's not a complete departure from the busier electronica style of his 2011 debut Parodia Flare, but the 11 songs on Rapture do have a very focused and specific sound that melds slinky Sade vocal aspirations with a contemporary chillwave style. Dreamy synth pads and skittering midtempo beats provide the backdrop for almost every track, over which Ward emotes his desires, his passions, and his regrets. The bedroom indie pop of his earlier efforts has been abandoned in favor of a plaintive, romantic style that sets a sensuous mood.