Search - Little Dragon :: Little Dragon

Yukimi Nagano and Friends Turn Left...

J. Lund | SoCal, USA | 08/28/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Little Dragon is a Gothenburg-based quartet featuring Yukimi Nagano (vocals, percussion), Håkan Wirenstrand (vocals, keyboards), Fredrik Källgren Wallin (vocals, bass), and Erik Bodin (vocals, drums). Apparently they have been making music together informally for years, and have now rallied behind Yukimi's jazz-inflected yet non-traditionalist lead vocals and individualistic songwriting to issue this debut album. Consistent with her easy-to-digest yet unconventional vocal approach, Yukimi and company eschew Marketing 101 promotional tactics, such as releasing the album under her name, putting her photo on the cover, enlisting some of the musicians she has previously recorded with as guests, bringing in some name producer(s), and so on. To Little Dragon's credit, the music is going to be presented their way, take it or leave it, so don't let the no-frills approach imply to anyone that this isn't a major league work of substance, originality, and soulfulness. If anyone is interested in hearing an up-and-coming artist overloaded with potential now fully coming-of-age, I'd highly recommend the "take it" option.



Vocalist Yukimi Nagano (born and raised in Sweden) has created a cult of enthusiastic fans via her key appearances with the likes of such envelope-pushing artists as Koop, Sleepwalker, Stateless, Swell Session, Jafrosax, and Hird. The consistent effectiveness of her unique jazz-flavored, soulful vocals in those settings have created anticipation for an eventual solo album. With the release of this debut album by Little Dragon, Yukimi's name may not be on the album's cover but the results boldly assert her own musical personality. As memorable as her vocals were as a featured guest (e.g., Koop's "Summer Sun"), the upper limits of her talents are best on display as a solo artist, where it is her very own artistic vision that is front and center. She shines even more than previously when she was participating in works that were certainly compatible with her vocal style, yet ultimately defined by others. Although I'm as guilty as anyone else in focusing on Yukimi, her bandmates are crucial in establishing the overall tone of the album. The end-results reflect a give-and-take of interacting ideas, with Yukimi's tunes and voice as the group's foundation.



It's a bit difficult to describe the music, although I'd start in general with a personalized brew of eclectic nu-soulful pop with (post-acid) jazz, r&b, funk, hip-hop, and electronica in the mix, chilled and emotively deep. Fun and invigorating at times, reflective and inward-reaching at others, and never shallow or trend-chasing. The overall sound is what I'd call minimalist, with jazzy, fresh-sounding keyboard lines or riffs emerging from the stripped-down bass and drum grooves on such tracks as "Test" and "Recommendation." Alternating with the more upbeat tracks, the likes of the stunning ballad "Twice" has Yukimi's voice floating above a sparse acoustic piano backdrop. The level of diversity doesn't mean there's a lack of focus; throughout the album there's a big-picture consistency in Little Dragon's musical vision. Even if it may take a listen or two to accept the album on its own merits and not be looking for "Koop: The Sequel," I predict that most listeners will soon be convinced that the state of modern music is in good hands with artists such as Little Dragon. By the way, track three on the Japanese Village Again version ("Fortune") is different than on the European Peace Frog release ("No Love"). Unfortunately for those on limited budgets, both cuts are must-haves."