Little Dragon
New Me, Same Us
Ninja Tune
Listen Below
Full disclosure: I am new to Little Dragon. For what reason or reasons, I have no idea why, especially as their music is right up my alley. Given that the band has released a total of six albums to date, I had my work cut out for me when the task of reviewing their latest studio album New Me, Same Us was handed to me.
Having taken a brief trip through their back catalogue of work, it seems that the Swedish electro pop group’s recent pairing with the English independent record label Ninja Tune has given the band a much-needed fresh perspective. This perspective moves away from the collaborations that may have at times overshadowed the band’s individual talent and has now planted the spotlight firmly onto them.
If you are anything like me and love dance music, New Me, Same Us will have you hooked line and sinker. With a vast array of musical styles that cover everything from electro and pop through to soul, not only have the band been able to blend these styles and more, but they have beautifully executed them with an elegance and articulation that seems to be becoming rarer and rarer.
From the album’s lead single “Hold On,” the band’s lead singer Yukimi Nagano asserts her ability to smoothly navigate through the single’s soulful house-like vibe, setting the tone for the overall album.
Moving through the first part of the album and there is a sound that invites the listener and an almost stirring sadness as evidenced on “Another Lover.” Nagano said via Apple Music “I just felt this huge amount of pain and sorrow for a person that I had not been able to feel any empathy for. And as I felt all those things, I was like, ‘Okay, let me snap out of this. I really want to write this song.’ So in the midst of that, I sort of wrote the song.”
The beauty continues throughout the rest of the album and on the sublime “New Fiction,” a funky downtempo track, Nagano’s vocals are led by fellow band member Fredrik Wallin’s delicious bass with both taking a brief pause as Wallin demonstrates his piano skills with a bridge that showcases how truly diverse and talented this band is. The album’s second single “Are You Feeling Sad?” also happens to be its only collaboration (Kali Uchis) and plays with a sound that is reminiscent of DJ Towa Tei. Perfection.
Thirteen years after Little Dragon first came onto the scene with their eponymous debut LP Little Dragon (2007) and their consistent collaborations that became somewhat of a hallmark for them, it appears the band have finally found their feet sans collaborations. For someone that only just came across the band, I now own everything they have put out and can’t believe that for some bizarre reason, they have slipped past my musical radar.
As Nagano sings on the hauntingly beautiful “Every Rain,” “Felt it in my bones / hidden melodies / Why am I holdin' back? / Help me please,” one thing is for sure, Little Dragon need no help with creating gorgeous music. Theirs is some of the finest around.
This album really is the salt of the earth.
Notable Tracks: “Another Lover” | “Are You Feeling Sad?” | “Every Rain” | “Hold On” | “Water”
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