Chicago-based indie pop combo Star Tropics were formed in 2012 by guitarist Scott Hibbits and bassist/singer Loren Vanderbilt. After bonding in a random encounter over a rare Smiths B-side, the two began recording together, first using a drum machine and later recruiting singer/guitarist Nikki Navarro and drummer Dan Julien to complete the lineup. Reminiscent of late-'80s college rock and dream pop, they made their debut with the 2013 single "By My Side" b/w "Tempest." Their second single, 2015's "Summer Rain" b/w "Swept Away," attracted the attention of respected San Francisco label Shelflife Records. Using classic boy/girl harmonies and jangling, hazy guitars, Star Tropics delivered their first full-length release, Lost World, in the summer of 2017. ~ Timothy Monger