Weekly Release Spotlight - Little Dragon
Posted on 8/08/2011
Little Dragon
Ritual Union
Peacefrog
Ritual Union, the newest album from Swedish dreampop quartet Little Dragon out on Peacefrog/EMI captures the beauty of elegant electronic beds while Yukimi Nagano croons, creating the soundtrack for summer lovin' everywhere. This is easily one of the most seductive releases from the group, even though their previous work has always included that slinky, sultry sorta sex appeal. While the group has garnered some fame from their work on the Gorillaz's Plastic Beach, Ritual Union will surely be able to distinguish their sound and solidify their place in the indie world's heart. By no means a dance album, Little Dragon finds the perfect blend of rhythmic, enticingly complex soundscapes that create an alternate universe where every element of the songs add another layer of detail to help the song's story along.
“Ritual Union” and “When I Go Out” are key examples for how Little Dragon can possess heartwrenchingly sad lyrics into a moving and endearing bed of music, creating a deep sense of desire and missed opportunities. One of the most intriguing elements of this album is it's ability to exhibit a broad range of emotional encounters, from it's most sentimental moments to songs like “Crystalfilm” that could be the deadly maneater lurking in the dark corner of the bar with it's powerful hook that draws the listener in. There is a magnetism deep within Nagano's vocals that redefines our interpretation of the word 'sultry.' “Seconds” resembles could easily be turned into a tinkering music box with it's delicate, sllightly dischordant robotic tango. The most remarkable part of this album comes from it's ability to straddle the line of being easy to brush off as another dreampop group, but they manage to create a distinct sound that draws you in with every listen.
Songs like “Little Man” and “Nightlight” perfectly layer futuristic, danceable beats and anthemic melodies that tamper with Madonna-esqu sexual tonalities creating sexually charged dream pop, yet remains extremely tasteful. Her soft vocal performances serve as the ultimate hook in electronic act Sbtrkt and Drake's interpretation of the song “Wildfire,” adding hints of dub into the mix to create a danceable groove that could easily be found in any club. After being featured in Stereogum's Cruel Summer 2011 mixtape, Nagano's vocals are still being praised for creating memorable, definitive songs that speak for a generation. Just as Madonna used her sexuality to speak to her generation, Little Dragon is dabbling with all the powerhouses of our generation's music scene, and I promise that you will be hearing more from these guys in the future.
Stream: Little Dragon - "Little Man"
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