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!

Big thanks to Alaric Campbell for the great photos!

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.