Tropix
Céu
2016
Rankings
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.
Tracks
Credits
Céu
Hervé Salters, Pupillo
Rosa Morena, Tulipa Ruiz
Céu
Lucas Martins
Pupillo
Pedro Sá
Hervé Salters
Miguel Atwood-Ferguson
William Carvalho
Felipe Tchauer
Mike Cresswell
Rodrigo Sanches
Be Hussey
Diogo Poças, Gustavo Lenza
Podcasts
Toca aí · BRoad Trip
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
Tropix – Wikipedia
Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia
Crítica: "Tropix", novo disco de Céu, traz música para a alma dançar
metropoles.com
Céu releases her fourth career album and remains one of the most exciting new acts in Brazilian music. A revelation because, with each new work, she manages to bring the freshness of a debutante while simultaneously demonstrating artistic maturity.
Crítica | Céu: "Tropix" - Música Instantânea
musicainstantanea.com.br
In Tropix (2016), her fourth studio album, Céu preserves the sentimental lyricism of her previous recordings, yet establishes the foundation for much of the album's tracks through the use of synthetic reverberations, beeps, and minimalist soundscapes.
Coluna Blah: Crítica | 'Tropix' o novo álbum da cantora Céu
colunablah.blogspot.com
Despite the album being so mature and very well crafted and produced, my favourite is Caravana Sereia Bloom, which is also perfect, earning top marks, and its songs brought back great memories.
Crítica de 'Tropix': Aliciante, e sem parecer que está fazendo força
oglobo.globo.com
The main subject of investigation is Céu herself, who, besides being one of the most unique voices to emerge in MPB over the last 10 years, returns to songwriting in a very...
