Little Dragon
Ritual Union

The "Little Dragons" in this now gone 2011 have breathed out more ash clouds than fire from Goteborg, all summarizing into a post "Machine Dreams" cold (an unsurpassable work) that somewhat overshadows their new 2011 release.

I left the "Little Dragon" with a more than decent debut album (self-titled, 2007) and (don't hold it against me) a masterpiece of synthetic pop like "Machine Dreams" (2009), listened to and relistened a thousand times trying to grasp the secret of the magnificence that surrounds it and the sublime voice-music combination, only to find myself holding this "almost-new" album titled "Ritual Union" also released by Peacefrog Records, but with certainly different results, although still worth examining with a few listens.

At this point (I suppose) many will go looking to see if the review of "Machine Dreams" is on DeBaser ... well no ... damn ... Little Dragon simply aren't on DeBaser ... criminals!!!!!

Others will wonder why this annoying person didn't review "Machine Dreams", probably due to a lack of self-esteem, an inferiority crisis, and because I've been listening to "Ritual Union" for 3 hours now.

Referring back to my last review ("Psychonaut" by "The Cosmic Dead"), the first thing that becomes evident (without even removing the cellophane from the packaging) is the cover (for those who purchase it) ... horrible, it should contain subliminal messages, otherwise such monstrosity is unjustifiable, and yet let's not dwell too much on this useless aspect, even though appearances matter for most.

Music, more than unburdened, which unburdens and puts at ease, fascinating is the voice of the lovely Yukimi Nagano who collaborated with Gorillaz (on the 2010 album "Plastic Beach"), SBTRKT, and others.

Yukimi Nagano, a sweet almond-eyed woman who drives a Saab (with a Japanese father and an American-Swedish mother) is the frontwoman of the group, delightful and truly pleasant on stage, it conveys the impression that she is the true artistic soul of the group, perhaps it's just a sensation, scarcely justified and justifiable, surely it’s the almond-shaped eyes, the superiority and the emergence of the Asian way in the daily lives of all of us.

I would say (not coincidentally) that the first track, which gives the album its name, "The Ritual Union," outlines the best of Little Dragon, electronic-tinged pop sinuously carried by the marvelous voice of an indispensable Yukimi Nagano for the track's melodic economy. Already with "Little Man" (track number two), we recognize the more dub-like perimeter of this last 2011 work, and all this (in my view) doesn't quite work for the Swedish group, they are electro-pop animals, nothing to do with anything that could remotely remind of dub.

Even "Shuffle a Dream" is a bit of a return to the wonderful "Machine Dreams," rhythms that vaguely recall the chorus of "Music is My Hot Hot Sex" by Cansei de Ser Sexy, defining the undeniable originality and radiance of the group.

Discover the rest of the album.

Awaiting the review of "Machine Dreams" for those interested in diving into some youthful music.