Tropics - Nocturnal Souls (2018)

Adopting sounds predominantly heard in Trip-Hop and Electronica at the beginning, Ward's ambient tones have, over time, taken more of a back seat to make room for live instrumentation with a Jazz and Psychedelic sensibility, set against his trademark raw and heart-wrenching vocals. The sonic shift has been all the more prevalent following Ward's move to Los Angeles after the release of 'Rapture', where he took himself to focus on writing new material and exploring collaborations. It was there that he hooked up with ex-label bandmates and friends Badbadnotgood, who lent instrumentation and production to a track on the new album. In stark contrast to this, Ward also spent two months in Mexico City where he spent months on end alone, putting the finishing touches to 'Nocturnal Souls'. Ward realised an increasing passion for Jazz music, old French New Wave and Italian film soundtracks. 'Nocturnal Souls' bares elements of inspiration from all of these and provides a dark and soulful backdrop to his newfound accomplishment as a Jazz musician. Some of the artists that provided inspiration for the record include contemporaries Michael Kiwanuka, Kaytranada and Toro Y Moi, classical Jazz composers Ennio Morricone and Piero Piccioni, and some Psych Rock and Cosmic Jazz flourishes of that era.