Seatemples – Trópicos (Album – Icy Cold Records)
Genre/Influences: Shoegaze, Post-Punk, Dream-Pop.
Format: Digital, CD.
Background/Info: Seatemples is a Chilean formation active since 2014. Three years later they released the debut album “Down Memory Lane” on Custom Made Music. “Trópicos” was released in 2020, the CD format by Icy Cold Records (France) while there’s also a cassette format released by Blackjack Illuminist (Germany).
Content: The album takes off with a rather evasive piece carried by guitar playing reminding me of the 80s spirit of Dream-Pop and Shoegaze. The songs are diversified, but constantly switching from Dream-Pop to Shoegaze. I also noticed Cold-Wave influences, which are mainly emerging at “Beagle”. Most of the songs have been sung in English, but you’ll also notice several cuts sung in Spanish.
+ + + : Seatemples didn’t spare any effort to get a professional production. Daniel Knowles (known from Amusement Parks On Fire) took care of the mixing while Maurizio Baggio (The Soft Moon, Boy Harsher, Holygram) did the mastering. The global production brings us back to the dark, evasive part of 80s Shoegaze and Dream-Pop. The guitar playing creates this retro sensation, which has been masterly accomplished at different tracks. I also want to mention the cool production of the vocals, featuring male- and female vocals.
– – – : Seatemples released a fully enjoyable album, but unfortunately without a potential hit.
Conclusion: I think there’s something hiding inside this band, which doesn’t totally emerge. Let’s keep an eye on the evolution of Seatemples.
Best songs: “Holograms”, “Beagle”, “Desierto”.
Rate: (7).
Artist: www.facebook.com/seatemples
Label: www.facebook.com/icycoldrecords
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