By Gary Ovens
23rd of May 2024
The latest single from West Lothian band The Tropicanas is a soothing, trippy dream. If you love a song with a solid foundation and will gift you little audible treats throughout, this song is a bespoke piece of art for you to obsess over. The single has come out and continued the band’s momentum in terms of radio play, being played on BBC Introducing Scotland and BBC Radio 6.
The phrasing of the guitar riff is reminiscent of Buddy Holly’s ‘Heartbeat’ but with a modern surf pop tone and some fun Mac DeMarcoisms to it. The soft organ sound in the distance peering into the main mix gives a little soulful feel.
This track is a captivating, wavy, calming breeze of a song.
The lyrical content is fantastic. We’re taken to everyday mundane scenarios like being in a bakery or a car park. However, the song is so finely worded that these things seem of real value and unmissable. Any song that mentions “quarter past forever” and goes un-questioned until five listens deep is truly miraculous and wonderful.
If I were to extract my favourite line from this song it would have to be:
“So I’ll go to all the hospitals, looking for the reasons why we have to live and die and repeat this lullaby.”
The use of retro symbolism and imagery is welcomed. At one point our subject is waiting in a phone box. Now, there surely is no breathing human over the age of 25 who doesn’t miss the joy of a phone box, 24/7 access to make any call you desire so long as you have the number and the change to burn. Oh nostalgia!
I digress.
I find it particularly bemusing how the song feels very slow in tempo but I’m never left feeling impatient, I’m sitting contently, waiting to arrive wherever the song plans to take me.
The appeal of The Tropicanas to me, is epitomised in this song. It’s not trying to be anything. There is no flash, no arrogance, just pure storytelling and unshakeable authenticity.
‘Your Arrow’ is another fine piece of work from West Lothian’s pioneers of the ‘chilled groove’.
Spend the time to get to know ‘The Tropicanas’ and Listen to ‘Your Arrow’ here;
ANOTHER YOUTH CULTURE 
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