"Tobias's LP is a magnificent follow up to his Impossible Cities 1 &amp; 2, somehow going much further than those to records, and having more of a spacey, Eno-esque feel to it.

And.... he's back with another brilliant record. You'd never guess that Todd Tobias is best known for his work with lofi carpet destroyers GBV on the strength of his solo work. Tristes Tropiques is an immensely enjoyable listen throughout; another set of Tarkovskian soundscapes that are never less than 100% horizontal at all times, and not that arsed about when you catch up with them.

Tobias's LP is a magnificent follow up to his Impossible Cities 1 &amp; 2, somehow going much further than those to records, and having more of a spacey, Eno-esque feel to it. In that sense, it hints at the wider canon of out there, underground soundscapes; there's a bit in Piraha that sounds like it's nabbed from Julian Cope's first Rite LP, a righteous steal indeed. Marayoor and Hiva Oa in particular sound like tracks that somehow didn't get their kecks on in time to jump on the the bus to Another Green World. And you can ride it as a pop record if you wish; the melody lines and hooks are all there; Nan Madol and Suvarnabhurmi in particular being very hummable.

The clumps and bangs that invaded his last two Impossible Cities releases aren't really in evidence on Tristes... Djado is the first one with a beat (at least I think it is, the previous tracks do lull you into a state of blissful forgetfulness.) Rather we get things like Gharapuri and Gunug Batur; brilliantly somnolent tracks, working a bit like that piece off Holly Herndon's last LP (the one with the massage going down). Whacked out, and wasted, pal.

Well worth your time."

- <a title="Incendiary Mag" href="http://incendiarymag.com/localfeatures/toddtobias/todd_tobias_tristes_tropiques" target="_blank"><strong>Incendiary Mag</strong></a>