First Light by Tropidelic – Album Review

First Light by Tropidelic – Album Review

by Julie Kurzenberger

After catching an energetic and uplifting live set from Cleveland’s own Tropidelic playing their original funky reggae tunes at the Stargazer Music Festival this summer, it was only natural to be drawn to check out their newest album release, their tenth studio creation First Light, published in June 2026 on the Ineffable Records label. 

Current band members Matthew Roads (on guitar & lead vocals), James Begin (trombone & vocals), Pat Shine (guitar), David Paglisotti (bass), Rex Larkman (drums), and Robert Schafer (keyboard & trumpet) joined together with a distinct inspiring & affirming vision. They combined their varied influences to form a sound that is part roots-style reggae, partly mellow pop vibes and part groovy beats reminiscent of Tycho, simmered together with foundations from hip-hop and funky bass beats. 

Recurring annually, their Everwild Music Festival is a follow-up refresher for the pre-Covid fest Frankenstomp, which had debuted in 2017. Hosting Everwild starting in 2021, Tropidelic revived their signature event as they were “stepping into a New World”. It takes place each August – most recently at Legend Valley Concert Venue – with next year’s festival dates already set for August 5th through 7th, 2027 (details TBA).

A celebration of their amalgamated vibes from within the Tropidelical units but also in elevated collaboration with other artists, First Light features guest artists of regional and national fame, who were well-suited to enhance each track. Starting off by gently inviting the listener to enthusiastically step into their space, the first track “Signals” has a bright supple tone atop a rhythmic stroll infused with a soft reggae groove. The story is about “always searching the stars to find out who we are” and celebrating the seeking, the progress, and the resilience of knowing there’s more to come. The gentler beat gives into a bridge that gives way to an interlude of roots beats and verse. While showcasing The Movement, formed in South Carolina and now based in Philadelphia, the song paints a stunning mental image of “catching signals from Mars.”

“Out There” continues the journey inside with an uplifting, restorative, meditative walk through hopeful determination – walking with head up and nurturing the “don’t slow down” mentality. With effects that feel aquatically muted, as if the notes are gliding over a body of water, the vocals are somewhat reminiscent of Matchbox 20’s Rob Thomas. We are reminded we will “find it all out there.” This sound is anything but aggressive and nurtures the spirit both harmonically & lyrically. 

Another solid production, another taste of the aqueous in the opening clears into a binaural movement through speakers and brain, as the piano opens a tale of clarity on “No Fear.” Gently riding the waves in the treble pockets of sound that exist around the melody, the song leads us to recall that “music is medicine.” The best is still coming, you have all you need in life and remembering “the ones you love are near.” Spreading the word that we can release our fear. Believing in our best life brings us closer to it.

A little more rocking and syncopated, “Home To You” is a melodic tune with a tight little bridge twist.  This is a catchy tune featuring Columbus’ own The Quasi Kings, which gets the hips swaying. The lyrics are a simple and sweet promise that although being apart is hard, to “always come home to you.” The guitar solo is soulful. A funky bass line with tweaks of wawa gives hints reminiscent of Bob Marley’s roots rhythms. The energetic song keeps moving purposefully and builds into a crescendo before it gently hushes away.

The beat drives a little harder reviving a touch of strong reggae pulse, adding horns, and striking a motivational chord on “Follow Your Nature”, with lyrics encouraging to look to nature for signs and answers, “wherever it takes ya.” Hailing from New Orleans, Bermudan reggae singer Collie Buddz, joins on the song with a striking rap on following your own path. Also guesting on this track, Filipino-American Eli-Mac from Hawaii adds her sultry vocal talents, mellifluous and beautifully polished. 

Next, “Drift” calmly encourages relaxing into the flow of life, opening with some thick funky bass lines, followed by rich horns, a calming bright reggae bop, and enhanced further by the addition of California reggae band Fortunate Youth. “Calm your restless soul and… drift into the glow.” The bridge summons soft rock influences similar to The Police (think Walking on the Moon), bringing a relaxed sense of familiarity – a lyrical affirmation of encouragement and healing. 

Next up, the seventh track “Holiday” is a lively piece, featuring alternative indie hip hop duo Little Stranger from South Carolina via Philadelphia. Little Stranger’s collaboration with Tropidelic brings their “organized chaos” with a nice lyrical breakdown which could showcase why the duo’s website names them the “hip-hop Simon & Garfunkel.” The song feels cheery, as is fitting for the concept, like a sunny day on vacation, grilling out at the park, swinging without a care on the playground. 

With its ear-catching opening bars, the upbeat and funky reggae rock rhythm section on “Up in Smoke” – and its more insistent drum & bass line – is a stellar foundation to the driving guitar lines topped off by striking brass elements. A hot guitar solo breaks through the harmonic vocal hook that nods to Anthony Kiedis of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Telling a tale of leaving California and of what’s left behind going up in smoke, the band plays some fun key changes and got me moving with the ska-style horns and danceable tempo,

A well-produced track, “Cactus” leads in with a heavy beat, ventures into more funky rock areas, with a reggae bounce and a hip hop lyrical interlude.  This song gets a little gritty in the best way and sounds radio ready, appealing to a broad audience of music fans. Still staying on topic of their consciously guided melodic narratives, “Cactus” goes hard and funky. The guys creatively blend into a distinctive sound that’s giving a little Matchbox 20 and a little Gorillaz. This groove culminates in the idea that “existence weighs a ton, be still like a cactus in the sun.”

“Come Along” slows the beat down to a meandering drift. The slightly lilting lyrics, vibe about overcoming challenges while focusing on gratitude. Using soft digital beats and midi sounds that feel crisp under the reverb, it gives a pop rock feel.  The bridges come in like a montage of musical memories taking a look back to  “never forget you’ve come a long way” and to “find some peace as you run along” looking at your blessings, finding your center and never giving up.

The penultimate song on First Light, “Therefore I Am” uses a unique note form that is both elongated and accented, with an electronic style of reggae and vocals conveying a sort of Ed Sheeran sound. It feels vaguely nostalgic, complete with a few record scratches.  Then the band takes a turn at the bridge, slows down, and drops a beat. A fun theremin sound weaves through. With these inspirational verses, they manifest the notion “I can change the way that I think therefore I am,” all while the toes keep tapping to the beat.

Concluding the album, “Dancing with the Ghost” begins with a subtle crackle in the atmosphere like a vinyl record spinning under the needle, bass and drums fading in with a ghostly verse before taking a quick turn. A more upbeat, pop-rock style takes over with hints of disco, leading to the hip-hop verses about letting go of the past “ghosts” and moving forward, handling and releasing what needs to stay behind.  One last time on this album, Tropidelic provokes introspection and leaves the listener to ponder, fading off into the ether – like a ghost might do.  

Tropidelic’s First Light impressed me overall as refreshing, regenerative, and hopeful.  This stirring up of funky reggae rock styles, talented musicians, outstanding guests, and songs that are intuitively motivated, heartfelt affirmations of cheerful resilience & purpose is something truly unique.  I caught myself humming “Home To You” while sitting in traffic a week after listening to First Light and “Signals” is earworming in my head as I write this. Their website describes the band as “a musical lighthouse, shining a resilient light for everyone that has had to pull themselves up by their bootstraps” and my experience is that this new album beautifully showcases the inspirational veracity of that assertion. 

Tropidelic is currently wrapping up their mountain state “Broken Hearted Boys tour” alongside First Light album guests Little Stranger as well as Damn Skippy and JARV before returning east for their fall tour dates. More information about the Tropidelic experience is available at tropidelic.com.