Florida reggae is on the rise, with artists like Seranation, Kash’d Out, The Dub Collectors, Artikal Sound System, DJ Badda Skat and many more showcasing the variety and tonal diversity the state has to offer. But when a new band enters that mix, it rattles the foundation and reminds us that the sound is still evolving. So, when “Getaway Van” by The Lost Tropics featuring Ichroniq came across my Discover Weekly playlist, it did not just land, it lingered, looping somewhere deep in my consciousness like a rhythm carried in on the tide.

“Getaway Van” not only embodies the ebb and flow of living on Florida time, where one moment slows to a warm, muggy crawl and the next surges forward like a summer thunderstorm tearing across the Gulf’s shimmering blue-green water – it also highlights the diversity of the Florida reggae sound, where ease meets intensity and drift collides with drive. Beyond this contrast is a sound shaped less by urgency and more by the weight of humid air, flashes of towering heat lightning, and the slow, tidal rhythm of early morning along the coast. For The Lost Tropics, that distinction defines everything. As they put it, Florida leans into a “laid-back, beach-centric vibe,” but like the shoreline itself, those boundaries are never fixed, instead constantly reshaped by sun-soaked rhythms rolling in from an infinite sky.

The Lost Tropics’ Kylie Cole and Mongo Peterson

At the heart of the song, Lost Tropics singer, Kylie Cole, moves with the fluidity of the Florida anthem. Her voice glides through the dynamism of the single’s tempo, melding alongside the glistening melodies. This looseness allows the notes to bend and breathe around her voice. That sense of movement comes into even sharper focus with the addition of Tyler Jaworski of Ichroniq, his tactful verse heightening the track. This dutiful mesh of vocal talent is more than just collaboration – it’s the sound of friendship that fosters creativity. Cole explains, “We’ve gotten to know the Ichroniq boys over the last few years, and we love getting to collaborate with them. They were one of the first in the scene to embrace us as a band. We work with [their bassist] Vince Nuñez a lot on production, and it’s been really cool seeing him bring our tunes to life.”

While reggae music is no stranger to phenomenal, ear grabbing female vocals, there is something to be said of Florida’s home brewed talent with the likes of Logan Rex of Artikal Sound System, Sahara Smith of The Resolvers, Leilani Wolfgramm, Kat Hall, and so many more proudly hailing from the Sunshine State. When asked what it’s like being added into this powerful circle of talent, Cole told me, “All the female front ladies are killing it in the reggae scene here in Florida. The male lead vocalists are the majority for sure, so I think the more ladies we have stepping into this style of music, the better. It’s an honor to be considered part of that group, and we can’t wait to see what we accomplish as female front-women.”

All of that energy finds its way into “Getaway Van,” where the song feels less like a statement and more like a release. There is a distinct looseness to the track as it stays true to the sounds of Florida reggae while still reaching beyond them. The groove settles in without feeling stagnant, giving the vocals space to rise and fall naturally, creating a sense of motion that never forces itself, but never stands still.

“Getaway Van” offers much more than just a song. It urges us to escape mundanity, to chase an endless horizon and to never trade wanderlust for routine. It pushes us out the door to see what is waiting beyond, reminding us that sometimes the only way forward is to wave goodbye to the familiar and step into something new.