Little Dragon

Swedish band Little Dragon have been around since 1996 but only released their self-titled debut album in 2007 so don’t kick yourself if you aren’t familiar with their work. The quadrant is made up of singer Yukimi Nagano (vocals, percussion) and her high school friends Erik Bodin (drums), Fredrik Källgren Wallin (bass) and Håkan Wirenstrand (keyboards). They are occasionally joined by additional keyboardist Arild Werling for live performances.

They have collaborated with the likes of Gorillaz on their Plastic Beach album and with Outkast’s Big Boi on his Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors ‘s album. Their sound is a pastiche of Dream Pop/Trip Hop/Electronic Synth and they will be releasing their 4th studio album Nabuma Rubberband on May 13th.

I am overwhelmingly obsessed with Yukimi’s voice which reminds me of Prince and to a lesser degree Janet Jackson—as well as the styles of Morcheeba and Esthero. Beyond the comparisons, Little Dragon are their own musical vessel, bringing a futuristic uniqueness to their layered soundscapes.

Most recently Little Dragon performed their first release from Nabuma Rubberband: ‘Klapp Klapp’ on David Letterman.

Their second release ‘Paris‘ has been perma-lodged in my ear canal all week as I cannot stop listening to it! It’s the perfect song to prelude the coming Spring—in a dance-naked-like-nobody’s-watching-in-the-confines of-your-own-living-room-PERFECT!

If these 2 songs are any indication of how the entire album will sound, it is guaranteed to propel Little Dragon to the comeuppance and international fan base that they deserve! I will be back to review the album as I will be seeing the band live in Toronto for Canadian Music Week on May 10th!

Stay tuned and watch this space for an update! In the meantime…cop these two tracks on iTunes!

Musically Yours,

 XOXO                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           The Pop Culture Rainman™