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My first impressions - it felt like a cross between ambiance and R&B. It is different and intriguing but I wasn't pulled in immediately ... but after a few listens, it gets more catchy.
1. Mirror
3. Pretty Girls
12. Let Go
Some background on the band:
"Formed in Gothenberg, Sweden in 1996, this electronic quartet are comprised of lead vocalist Yukimi Nagano (Vocals, Percussion), Håkan Wirenstrand (Keyboards), Erik Bodin (Drums), and Fredrik Källgren Wallin (Bass). The band debuted in 2006 with the "Test" single on the Scandinavian Off the Wall label, naming themselves after Nagano's nickname that she received for throwing tantrums while recording. The following year, Little Dragon signed with the larger British indie Peacefrog Records (Nouvelle Vague, etc.) for their self-titled debut album released in 2007. Its opening song, the hushed ballad "Twice," was featured during the 2008-2009 season of Grey's Anatomy.
Later in 2009, the group released Machine Dreams, which showed new wave inspiration through bigger hooks.After Little Dragon collaborated on recordings by Gorillaz (Plastic Beach), TV on the Radio's Dave Sitek (Maximum Balloon), SBTRKT (SBTRKT), and Big Boi (Vicious Lies & Dangerous Rumours), the band released a third album, Ritual Union, written and recorded during gaps in their schedule as worldwide support for Gorillaz. The record exposed them to a wider audience, charting in both the U.S. and the U.K. In 2012 the band, exhausted from touring, decided to take some time out to record their next album at their own studio space in Gothenburg. For the recording, they drew musical influences from Prince to Janet Jackson and claimed that the dark and cold Swedish winter played a part in shaping their sound. Preceded by the singles "Klapp Klapp," "Paris," and "Let Go," Nabuma Rubberband was released in 2014."
dl here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/2g5xe6tz2qa8c8r/AADoYr1tWFb6QlgXRt-7Ye0xa
I've listened to Little Dragon before at festivals (watching online), and it didn't quite click. I basically had the same reaction to this album. Interesting at times, but generally didn't move me. Nonetheless, I would be remiss not to post a remix my wife's brother did of the title track, which can be found here: https://soundcloud.com/aimes/little-dragon-nabuma-rubberband-aimes-rework.
ReplyDeleteAlso, Maximum Balloon is one of the most criminally underrated albums I've ever heard. Didn't know they were involved with that.
I am not too much into electronic music, but this is the kind of electronic music I like. Very melodic, with a lot of changes, fresh.
ReplyDeleteI am happy to have discovered it.
It's a 4 for me! :)
I read your blog post after listening. I was googling Nabuma trying to figure out what that meant, but the only thing that comes up is this album. As JK said, not what I expected from the title, but I did enjoy the R&B feel. The Swedish can make some good music.
ReplyDeleteThis albums was getting a bit of airplay on the radio when this post was published. I wasn't a huge fan, although it's a nice album to stick on for the drive to work/home. Kind of reminded me of some of the electronic stuff from the early 2000's, one in particular that my wife loves (but for the life of my I can't remember what it is!!!).
ReplyDelete3/5