In this series I am going to be looking at lost pop classics from the last ten years that, in a parallel universe (where the Eighties never ended), would have been smash hits and on Top of the Pops.
Signed originally to French house label Kitsuné, Is Tropical are from London and released a new album in 2020 entitled Cola Spirit. Rewind to 2011 and the first single 'The Greeks' from their debut album Native To had gone viral on YouTube, with the video going on to win numerous awards.
Follow-up single 'Lies' was less frenetic and got less attention. Ten years on and it has aged well: revealing itself to be an understated pop classic. Its dark brooding synths and distorted vocals occupy a middle ground between Italo and goth; however, the melody recalls the oriental affections of Kim Wilde's 'Cambodia'.
The video took the track in an altogether less pop direction: with images of a topless blond lap dancer intercut with black and white footage of vultures. Subsequent video releases courted further controversy, with the promo for 'Dancing Anymore' removed from YouTube for scenes depicting sex acts with computer generated images.
Check out Spotify for the albums Native To, I'm Laving and Black Anything
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