Sadness, sensuality, and soulfulness seem to comprise the holy trinity for sleepy British synth pop artist Tropics (Chris Ward) on his sophomore LP Rapture.

Like the name he's chosen for his artistic pursuits, winter has little place in Ward's music, which steams and sweats with a lush, late-night humidity.

It's not a complete departure from the busier electronica style of his 2011 debut Parodia Flare, but the 11 songs on Rapture do have a very focused and specific sound that melds slinky Sade vocal aspirations with a contemporary chillwave style.

Dreamy synth pads and skittering midtempo beats provide the backdrop for almost every track, over which Ward emotes his desires, his passions, and his regrets.

The overall mood he sets is effective enough, but the lack of diversity on Rapture really begins to become apparent after the fifth or sixth similarly constructed lovelorn ode.

Breaking up the sonic palette somewhat midway through is the piano-led title cut, which stands out for its more strident beat, discernible chorus, and jazzy ornamentations.

For the most part, though, nearly every other song follows a pattern of languorous, seductive mood-setting with enough awkward body heat coming off of songs like "Blame" and "Home & Consonance" to warm a small greenhouse.

It's not that the music isn't enjoyable, but many of the songs are filled with all too familiar, romantic lyrical tropes that Ward just doesn't have the voice or attitude to overcome.

The electronic bedroom pop inventiveness of his earlier EPs and debut has been replaced by plaintive bedroom pleas on this misguided second effort.