Gothic Tropic - Fast Or Feast

Like early decade Aussie fave Ladyhawke had she grown up on Tame Impala as much as the 80s kicks of Fleetwood Mac et al, debut ‘Fast Or Feast’ finds Gothic Tropic (aka Cecilia Della Peruti) channelling a modern strain of pop star – one whose shimmering hooks would sit as neatly alongside Unknown Mortal Orchestra as they would Katy Perry. The woozy, late night throb of ‘Chemical Trail’ sounds like a lost gem from Metronomy’s ‘Summer 08’, while the dappled guitars that open ‘How Life Works’ are pure Kevin Parker. Opener ‘Stronger’, however, is like Haim making a bid for the pop crown, while ‘If It Had A Body’ is a 90-second instrumental wig out.

At a time when former Test Icicle Dev Hynes is still one of pop’s most sought-after collaborators and blimmin’ Ratboy is on the Kendrick album, Gothic Tropic’s blurred lines feel bang on point.