Before you grumble about Little Dragon teaming with ABSOLUT to promote new drink ABSOLUT Punch — think about the landscape for indi artists. This is one band who I personally am happy to see cross-over and maintain a high level of integrity. They keep it 100% Little Dragon! Some of our more successful counterparts could learn a thing or two from this. The video premiered on The Daily Show last night, a gorgeous track, with their signature electro-pop and Yukimi’s incredible vocals…you will smile after watching this. Check it out below!

Little Dragon gave us an awesome show — in fact, I didn’t expect less. Playing before a sold out audience at New York City’s Terminal 5 on Friday, October 14, to a size-ably larger audience than when I saw them at Le Poisson Rouge—are signs of them moving into well-deserved star status.  The show was tight in structure, with every want fulfilled. From Yukimi Nagano’s flawless vocals and percussion skills to her little shimmy hip moves, to Erik Bodin slaughterhouse rhythms on the drums, Fredrik Källgren Wallin’s bass grooves—dark yet sweet and strong, to Håkan Wirenstrand on keyboards, providing those funky synths. In a very subtle way, Little Dragon are students of Prince, with the vintage synthesizers and funky bass accompanying the kick-back drums. It’s sexy, it’s vulnerable, it’s raw, it’s honest, it’s disco, it’s pop, it’s soul, it’s drum ‘n bass, it’s electronica. All of these elements show up in their music in delicious ways.

I summoned you back in 2009 to see Little Dragon if they visited your town. After watching the highlights below, you’ll understand the summons. And if you haven’t bought Ritual Union, then what are you waiting for? iTunes | Amazon With the exception of Thundercat, Ritual Union may well be one of my favourite releases for 2011.

The great background to this video is that it was animated by Little Dragon‘s lead singer Yukimi Nagano‘s father Yusuke and edited by his collaborator Olga Nikoulina. One of my favourite cuts from the album, “Brush the Heat” has trippy off kilter sounds, so the video is equally compelling in design. Check it out. And if you haven’t purchased Ritual Union, we suggest you do so from the following links. Peacefrog | iTunes

We can’t help it. We are completely in love with Little Dragon and Ritual Union deepens our affinity to them. Staying close to their sophomore album, Machine Dreams in sound, with a combination of experimental indi pop hooks, smooth electronic beats, and new wave, this Swedish four-piece band with Yukimi Nagano on vocals, Erik Bodin on drums, Fredrik Wallin on bass, and Håkan Wirenstrand on keys, are winners; their sound has tightened even more!

The opening track “Ritual Union” is quite unusual as Yukimi sings about the symbolism of marriage yet being left with a spirit of uncertainty, rather than a man. “Crystalfilm” is one of those songs we can all relate to in relationships—afraid of tripping up, you try to leave, but the memory permeates your being leaving you still in love. “Precious” takes us back to the sound of their debut, dark and gritty with drums, keys and percussions that build in a crescendo (Prince would be proud of this arrangement).

Thus far, 2011 has been a fantastic year for Little Dragon—from headlining a US tour, to their first US TV appearance on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon at the behest of avid fan Questlove, then appearing on Raphael Saadiq‘s Stone Rollin‘ album on “Just Don’t” and being asked to work with Big Boi and DJ Shadow on new music. What’s so uncanny about Little Dragon is despite them now moving onto commercial ground, their integrity to their art is uncompromised. They deserve all accolades and critical acclaim!

Ritual Union released this week. Buy it! You deserve to hear some good music! [Amazon | iTunes]

“Brush the Heat”

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“Precious”

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I know, I know, Muphoric Sounds has become a love letter to all things Little Dragon – but how could it not!

The Fader compares this new tune, “Wildfire” from South London tribal mask wearing producer/DJ SBTRKT to what an Aaliyah / Timbaland production would sound like, if she were still with us today. And on third listen, I have to agree — SBTRKT‘s production with Yukimi Nagano‘s unmistakable vocals is pure pleasure. “Wildfire” actually starts off sounding quite circa 1985, during the era when R&B skirted with computerized production, turning into a melodic dub step groove. “Wildfire,” would be that slow jam.

SBTRKT‘s self entitled album is scheduled for June 28th release on the Young Turks label. Be prepared for some real ear poppin’ sounds. A trip to SBTRKT‘s Soundcloud wouldn’t go amiss either – go and get your mind twisted!

Free Download – “Wildfire”

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This is an aspect of being an indi artists that’s organic and democratic. In May 2009, Bay Area producer, Trackademics did a new wave, computerized-like remix of Little Dragon‘s “After the Rain” (to hear Trackademics‘ and Floating Points versions, click here). The band must have liked it so much, they commissioned Trackademics to remix “Looking Glass,” which is taken from their latest album, Machine Dreams. I love when a producer reinterprets a song, giving it an entirely new face. This is dope — check it out below.

Little Dragon – “Looking Glass” (Trackademick’s Gazer Remix)

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Shout out to Moovmnt.com for DOWNLOAD link!

Let’s just call today, Little Dragon day! I wasn’t able to post this video earlier due to technical limitations but could not let this go unmentioned, especially being a mother myself of a pre-teen child. As mentioned earlier today, Little Dragon are hot on the promotion trail – touring Europe and the US, just finished shows at SXSW, and found time to take a trip to Staten Island’s Public School 22 (P.S. 22). These children are phenomenal! It’s initiatives like these that further illustrate the importance of music in schools. Children need to be rounded in academics, arts, and sports. Kudos to the music teacher for introducing independent music like Little Dragon to a younger generation, who ordinarily wouldn’t be exposed such music. Check out P.S. 22 perform “Twice” with Little Dragon. You might tear up watching this!

Oh how I love thee! Sweden’s Little Dragon have been incessantly touring Europe and the US and just finished live shows at SXSW to rave reviews, with their third album release at the helm. Making their debut US television performance on the Jimmy Kimmel Live show this week, they unveiled the title track from their new album, “Ritual Union“. Sounds like they’re staying close to the Machine Dreams formula, with the electro experimental pop sounds and Yukimi Nagano‘s effortless vocals weaving in and out. I don’t know about you, but I am totally in love with her voice; she can sing over anything and make it sound awesome. Below is a second track that was unleashed on the internets —  “Stå Upp”, which will also be on the album and is scheduled to release within the next month or so. I can’t wait! Enjoy!

“Stå Upp” (via East of LA) – Sorry track removed; was a leak and was unmastered.

For some reason, I had been missing all of Little Dragon‘s performances in New York City. I even tried to catch them in the UK this past summer, but flights were not in sync either. This past Saturday, I finally got it together and took myself down to Le Poisson Rouge.

It’s been a long time since I’ve been to a show and the band sounds better than the actual CD. Lead singer and percussionist, Yukimi Nagano has this amazing vocal style and range, that has you entrapped, hanging on every note. It’s effortless beauty to your ears. Watching Yukimi perform is like watching a child playing in the sunshine with open arms, spinning till they fall into a pool of laughter. At one point, she got down in the audience and danced with us. Band members Erik Bodin (drums), Fredrik Källgren Wallin (bass), and Håkan Wirenstrand (keyboards), together create magic, and Yukimi is their vocal muse of sheer happiness. Why hadn’t I seen them sooner?!

If Little Dragon are in your town, here’s your marching order: GET YOURSELF A TICKET! They put on an incredible show, and are truly a band enjoying what they do. Although I wanted to see them perform “Twice” from their debut album and “Thunder Love,” from Machine Dreams, I left the venue completely satiated. Watch “Constant Surprises” from the show below and enjoy!

Yukimi Nagano (vocals, percussion), Erik Bodin (drums), Fredrik Wallin (bass), and Håkan Wirenstrand (keyboards), who make up the band Little Dragon, are back with their eagerly awaited sophomore album, Machine Dreams (scheduled to release in August). Their 2007 eponymous debut album hit us with a new vibe and style, it was no surprise their success skyrocketed – good music, is simply good music. I will be completely honest, on first listen of Machine Dreams, I felt a tinge of disappointment. I expected the soulful vibe, the hip hop infused beats, electronic bass, intertwined with Yukimi’s voice.

Machine Dreams‘s formula is very similar to the self-titled Little Dragon, only this time around, they have taken a more commercial pop route with a more pedestrian pace. It’s mid-way between the dark and harrowing electronics of fellow Swedes Fever Ray to prime 80s Prince (Controversy/Dirty Mind eras). It may appear to be a big leap from their debut, as Machine Dreams is more experimental and futuristic than their debut. Yukimi’s vocals still contain her charm. Being one of the former singers of the group Koop, quite frankly, she can sing over anything and sound good. Her description of Machine Dreams is, “These days humans seem more and more like machines as technology evolves, machines feel more human and it becomes fuzzy and beautiful and science fiction-ish. We feel dependent on our machines to create and live, and their sounds reflect us.” You’re not wrong!

“Thunder Love” is absolutely beautiful. Her vocals are soulful, and at times, (especially on the upbeat pop songs) you can hear her ancestry through her voice.

This did start off as lukewarm album review, however, there are definite gems on Machine Dreams. Sophomoric pressure is hard to live up to and I’m certain Deejays will find inspiration through Little Dragon’s inventiveness on Machine Dreams as the crux of what they do best is uncompromised. Bring on the third album. We eagerly await many more! Check out Thunder Love below.

“Thunder Love” featured on Machine Dreams by Little Dragon

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One of the things we do here is bring to you news about new artists and events. I’m so bummed that I won’t be in London for this one!

OneTaste is hosting the Exhibition Road Music Day to be held at London’s Hyde Park on Sunday, June 21st, from 1pm through 8pm.

The line-up is fantastic. With main headliners Little Dragon; actress and singer Ebony Bones; human beatboxer MC Xander; unique R&B singer Jamie Woon; poet and rapper Polarbear; rapper, poet, and playwright, Kate Tempest with band Sound of Rum; one man band, Joe Driscoll; the soulful electro-pop duo, Pearl Apollo; ska, funk band, United Vibrations; and electronic hip-hop, funk, and broken beats, DJ John Hendicott.

It definitely is “a not to be missed” event. So if you’re in the London area, brush off your Oyster travel cards and spread your sheets on the grass to take in some good music. It’s also a great event for all those hipster pops to spend their Father’s Day soaking in the sun and notable artists.

This post is just to get us excited about Little Dragon releasing something new this year. Bay Area DJ/Producer Trackademicks has done a fun, new wave type remix of “After the Rain” where Yukimi‘s vocals adapt perfectly to the track. She has one of those voices that can be sung over pretty much anything. Yukimi’s unique vocal style, with a tinge of Badu sprinkled on it, and the band as a whole, make Little Dragon big-time winners. Check out the South London based Producers floatingpoints remix of the same song below, which was created earlier this year.

Little Dragon will be performing at Central Park’s SummerStage on Saturday, July 18, headlining with Q-Tip and DJ Benji B.

“After the Rain” by Little Dragon (Trackademicks Remix)

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“After the Rain” by Little Dragon (floatingpoints Remix)

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Thanks to Fresh Selects and FACT Magazine for the downloads. And if you haven’t got Little Dragon‘s debut album, you should feel shame. It’s a timeless piece, so it’s never too late to get yourself copy on iTunes now.