Tropix

Céu

2016

Cover of Tropix
Top 100

Why This Album Matters

Tropix, Céu's fourth studio album, released in 2016, stands out for presenting an artist in continuous evolution and risking structural modifications with each new work. The album is acclaimed for its ability to reconnect Brazilian popular music with foreign electronic pop, maintaining a sound that is both radically futuristic and deliberately retro. Its aesthetic is configured around synthesisers and electronic beats, which vary between the rudimentary and the danceable, creating a nocturnal and seductive atmosphere. With a configuration of few instruments and Céu's voice always in the foreground, the album offers an auditory experience rich in detail. The combination of her husky and reverberated timbre with distorted guitars and electronic elements gives Tropix a particular and authorial sound, reinforcing the artist's uniqueness in the music scene. The work is praised for its ability to be simple and crystalline, yet at the same time alluring, without appearing to strive.

Context

The album represents a 'return to form' for Céu, especially after her previous work, Caravana Sereia Bloom, which was described as mysteriously brief and excessively commercial. Tropix reflects a vocation for evolution in music, in which the artist remains true to herself but embraces new sonic configurations, inspired by artists such as Kraftwerk, Tame Impala and the post-punk band Fellini.

Recording

Tropix was produced by Pupillo, drummer for Nação Zumbi, and the Frenchman Hervé Salters, lending the album a distinct and refined sound. This collaboration was fundamental in shaping the sonic aesthetic, which is praised for its recording engineering.

Songs

The songs on Tropix are characterised by a nocturnal atmosphere and sparse instrumentation, where Céu's voice stands out. Elements such as distorted guitars, beats and electronic components shape the album, which is perceived as a soundtrack full of small details to be discovered with each listen. The first single, "Perfume do Invisível", released with a music video directed by Esmir Filho, was noted for its sensuality, evoking the same atmosphere as the song "Grains de Beauté", from the album Vagarosa. The track "Chico Buarque Song" also stood out, being awarded in the Version of the Year category.

Legacy

Tropix received widespread critical acclaim, being praised by publications such as Notas Musicais, O Globo, The New York Times, The Guardian, Rolling Stone Brasil and Allmusic. Mauro Ferreira, from Notas Musicais, highlighted the artist's continuous evolution, while O Globo emphasised MPB's reconnection with foreign electronic pop. The New York Times praised Céu's sensual and agile voice, and The Guardian classified the album as a return to form, comparing the artist to Astrud Gilberto's bossa nova. Rolling Stone Brasil elected it the best Brazilian album of 2016. Its critical success was accompanied by important accolades, including two Latin Grammy Awards in 2016: Best Contemporary Pop Album in Portuguese Language and Best Engineered Album. At the Prêmio Multishow de Música Brasileira 2016, Tropix won in the Best Album Recording category, and the song "Chico Buarque Song" was awarded Version of the Year.

Rankings

Tracks

Credits

Co-producer

Céu

Producer

Hervé Salters, Pupillo

Guest

Rosa Morena, Tulipa Ruiz

Vocals

Céu

Bass

Lucas Martins

Drums

Pupillo

Guitar

Pedro Sá

Keyboards

Hervé Salters

Strings, Composed By

Miguel Atwood-Ferguson

Lacquer Cut By

William Carvalho

Mastered By

Felipe Tchauer

Mixed By

Mike Cresswell

Recorded By

Rodrigo Sanches

Recorded By

Be Hussey

Recorded By

Diogo Poças, Gustavo Lenza

Podcasts

Ep. 52: Céu - Tropix

Toca aí · BRoad Trip

1h 28min·9 Nov 2023

Recebemos o nosso amigo Nilton numa gravação presencial Sigam a gente no Twitter e Instagram: @tocaaipodcast. Céu - Tropix (2016) 48 min 12 Faixas Metacritic: 84

Videos

Céu debate a cena musical e seu álbum "Tropix" (2016) | O Som do Vinil

Canal Brasil

"Tropix": O novo álbum da Céu | Lançamento | Alta Fidelidade

Alta Fidelidade

Céu - Tropix ALBUM REVIEW (PT-BR)

O Audiófilo

Resenha Céu, Tropix

NonaOrelha

Books

Analyses

Discogs

Tropix – Discogs

discogs.com