New Music: Little Dragon

If you had to pick one country to have your music imported from, where would it be?  Most people would probably say the UK, but the smart people would say Sweden.  Not only did they descended from Vikings, but they are the reason we have H&M and Ikea.  Plus, they are pumping out some major talent these days with artists like Robyn, The Knife, Peter Bjorn & John, Shout Out Louds and Swedish House Mafia.  Not too shabby.  The latest Swede export to obsess over is Little Dragon, who are currently releasing their third album in four years, Ritual Union.  Three albums is a lot for that amount of time, especially when you consider their work with the Gorillaz on Plastic Beach in the song "Empire Ants.")

Ritual Union is a true delight of electronic infused experimental pop, soul and R&B that would be nothing without the sultry, smoky and sweet voice of frontwoman Yukimi Nagano. She has a way of sneaking up and haunting you behind these luscious landscapes of drums, bass, beats, loops, high hat and sometimes cowbell.  It's the perfect storm of music and is a bit addicting.  The title track which opens the record has been constantly playing in my head for days whether I am physically listening to it or not.  That's when you know it's good.

"Love is not like they say
A lie, that it’s hard to make it stay
It drowns my feelings in the sea
I dried up over on the beach…

Ritual unions, got me in trouble again
I was wonderin' of a white dress
And the mistress
And a spirit
Holdin my hand..."

  Ritual Union by Little Dragon 

Deep shit, right?  The record goes on with "Little Man" and into "Brush the Heat," which has an infectious beat and sounds like a song that might have come out of the Prince camp back in the day; maybe sung by Sheila E or one of his other ladies in waiting.  On "Shuffle A Dream" and "Please Turn" Nagano seems to taunt you with restraint in her voice, all the while enveloping you in.  The first single, "Nightlight," definitely stands out as more of a dance track of the group and is sure to be heard often on various soundtracks and World Cafe playlists.

My one complaint about the record is that it seems to have two parts to it.  There are the more dancey/addictive tracks and then the album seems to fade out with these more experimental/instrumental tracks that would make a great score to a film, but left me wanting to stop and start back over at the beginning.  Either way, the album as a whole is something to be excited about and I can't wait to see them live.  Go Sweden!

You can stream Ritual Union for a limited time at NPR's First Listen or KCRW.