Saturday, July 30, 2011
Songs of The Day
Precious: This is probably the most dubstep influenced groove of the album, which I dig. It's got a lot more weight than the others, which is mainly due to the bass. The percussion opening is pretty sweet, which makes the beat drop that much better. I like all of the different sounds that start to come in in the 2nd verse - they add an alien texture that I like. As with a lot of their songs, the groove continuously builds to the end, which is something I really like about them. It's like they're never giving up on the groove. There's a nice dip in the groove at the end which marks the start of a new groove, which kind of sounds like a remix of the original. It's a fairly short section, but it's cool. I must say, this isn't my favorite vocally. The melody is just ok, and I don't think it showcases Yukimi's voice to the full extent. Cool tune, but not my favorite.
Nightlight: The upbeat feel to this groove is a nice pick up from the last tune. Smart placement. I think the element I like the most of this one is the main opening riff. It's got a slight pitch bend to it that makes it sound flat, which in most settings does not work, but it sounds really cool with this groove. The percussion rhythm and tone are both cool, their subtly, but I dig it. Some of the vocal harmonies are actually placed in the bass, which I think is a really interesting touch. I think the vocal rhythm of the hook is really cool, but again, this isn't my favorite song vocally. As heard on their debut album, Yukimi has a really great voice, so I'm disappointed to hear it not being utilized. Cool groove, but it's one of my least favorites.
Summertearz: Man, I dig the meter play goin on on this one. The groove makes you anticipate a different rhythm vocally. Sneaky, sneaky, Little Dragon. Super simple groove on this one, which I dig - it balances out the last two. This is probably my favorite vocally of the day. The "oh"s are very sweet and add a simple touch to the melody. Some chopped elements going on that I like, they add nice lil somethings. There's a nice smooth transition out of the song, which I dig. I can get down.
Nightlight: The upbeat feel to this groove is a nice pick up from the last tune. Smart placement. I think the element I like the most of this one is the main opening riff. It's got a slight pitch bend to it that makes it sound flat, which in most settings does not work, but it sounds really cool with this groove. The percussion rhythm and tone are both cool, their subtly, but I dig it. Some of the vocal harmonies are actually placed in the bass, which I think is a really interesting touch. I think the vocal rhythm of the hook is really cool, but again, this isn't my favorite song vocally. As heard on their debut album, Yukimi has a really great voice, so I'm disappointed to hear it not being utilized. Cool groove, but it's one of my least favorites.
Summertearz: Man, I dig the meter play goin on on this one. The groove makes you anticipate a different rhythm vocally. Sneaky, sneaky, Little Dragon. Super simple groove on this one, which I dig - it balances out the last two. This is probably my favorite vocally of the day. The "oh"s are very sweet and add a simple touch to the melody. Some chopped elements going on that I like, they add nice lil somethings. There's a nice smooth transition out of the song, which I dig. I can get down.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Please Turn
oh yea, I was there. "Feather" is off of their sophomore, Machine Dreams (and it happens to be my favorite on it)
Songs of The Day
Shuffle a Dream: Man, Little Dragon sure does know how to make some catchy shit. Maybe it's the bass, maybe its the swing feel to the percussion, I don't know, but I like it! The keys motif is awesome, works really well with the groove. Love that Yukimi's voice gets chopped in the very beginning of the tune - it's subtle, but a nice touch. I find the call and response aspect to the chorus melody and the chord on the keys really cool; it gives a great emphasis to the chorus that I don't think would be there without that element. The one thing about choosing an album as soon as it comes out is that lyrics aren't up, which sucks, because I want to know what she's saying - it's probably awesome. Sweet fade out. Dig.
Please Turn: I think my favorite part of this tune is Yukimi's melody - it's so simple and sweet. You can hear the emotion in her voice. The slight echoes to her voice are a nice touch. I dig how heavy the bass is on this one, and it's so simple! Love it. The build at the end of this tune is super funky. The synth riff that comes in just adds a nice lil punch to the groove, and it keeps building on that idea til it drops at the end. I saw them perform this at Roots Picnic this past June, and it was just as good, if not better, than on the album. Very cool. Sweet tune.
Crystalfilm: I love that the bass on this is one note the whole time, yet it keeps everything grounded and funky. This is the most simple and mellow groove so far, and it's a nice little break from the pop-y, upbeat feel that's been going on. Yukimi's vocals feel more subdued on this one, which I like as well - it adds to the lightness of the groove. All of the elements that they add are very minute, which I think is really good from an editing standpoint. Vocal harmonies are very sweet. It's just an overall "sweet" tune.
Please Turn: I think my favorite part of this tune is Yukimi's melody - it's so simple and sweet. You can hear the emotion in her voice. The slight echoes to her voice are a nice touch. I dig how heavy the bass is on this one, and it's so simple! Love it. The build at the end of this tune is super funky. The synth riff that comes in just adds a nice lil punch to the groove, and it keeps building on that idea til it drops at the end. I saw them perform this at Roots Picnic this past June, and it was just as good, if not better, than on the album. Very cool. Sweet tune.
Crystalfilm: I love that the bass on this is one note the whole time, yet it keeps everything grounded and funky. This is the most simple and mellow groove so far, and it's a nice little break from the pop-y, upbeat feel that's been going on. Yukimi's vocals feel more subdued on this one, which I like as well - it adds to the lightness of the groove. All of the elements that they add are very minute, which I think is really good from an editing standpoint. Vocal harmonies are very sweet. It's just an overall "sweet" tune.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Songs of The Day
Ritual Union: Ah, and so it begins! I'm not gonna lie, I've been waiting for this album to come out for a minute, so I am mighty excited that it is finally here. This opener and title track is a great way to start off the album. It really helps set up the aesthetic for the whole thing. I love the bouncy feeling going on in the groove, which is much thanks to the bass synth and the solid 2+4 percussion hits. Love the whimsical sample that goes on leading up to the chorus. Yukimi has such a soulful tone, which I think is a nice contrast against the electronic/synth-pop background. I like the build, and how it's brought down in the end - very cool. I find it very impressive that Little Dragon was able to have so many different samples and sounds going on without it sounding cluttered - I really dig that. Super solid.
Little Man: This track also goes along with the bouncy feeling that I dug in the previous tune, but it's still different seeing that it's slightly more up beat. The groove and melody on this one are so catchy, it easily gets implanted in your brain. Love the slight echo on Yukimi's voice, it adds a nice texture that I dig. I really dig that the chorus melody is paralleled by the synth, it adds a nice emphasis. The line "somethin missin in your smile/ somethin missin in your soul" has such a great vibe to it, that's probably the line I get stuck in my head the most. Love the harmonies in the final chorus. I dig this so hard.
Brush the Heat: Man, do I get down on this one. Just from the opening "lala"s - the harmonies are different than what you'd expect, but they work so well! I love that Yukimi is in her lower register on this track - it's so smooth and sultry. Normally I would find such a high pitched sound irritating, but I think it really works on this one. I think the bass could come out a little more, and the high pitch be lowered as a better balance, but it really doesn't bother me that much. Really dig the tone of the percussion, because it serves as that at bass, which I find really cool. The harmonies overall are really cool. I dig the faint sound of bells going on. And who doesn't love cowbell?? They got it! So tasty.
Little Man: This track also goes along with the bouncy feeling that I dug in the previous tune, but it's still different seeing that it's slightly more up beat. The groove and melody on this one are so catchy, it easily gets implanted in your brain. Love the slight echo on Yukimi's voice, it adds a nice texture that I dig. I really dig that the chorus melody is paralleled by the synth, it adds a nice emphasis. The line "somethin missin in your smile/ somethin missin in your soul" has such a great vibe to it, that's probably the line I get stuck in my head the most. Love the harmonies in the final chorus. I dig this so hard.
Brush the Heat: Man, do I get down on this one. Just from the opening "lala"s - the harmonies are different than what you'd expect, but they work so well! I love that Yukimi is in her lower register on this track - it's so smooth and sultry. Normally I would find such a high pitched sound irritating, but I think it really works on this one. I think the bass could come out a little more, and the high pitch be lowered as a better balance, but it really doesn't bother me that much. Really dig the tone of the percussion, because it serves as that at bass, which I find really cool. The harmonies overall are really cool. I dig the faint sound of bells going on. And who doesn't love cowbell?? They got it! So tasty.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Album Factoids
Ritual Union
Released: July 26, 2011 (oh hey, today!)
Genre: Electronic/Neo-Soul/Synth-Pop
Label: Peacefrog
Producer: Little Dragon
Released: July 26, 2011 (oh hey, today!)
Genre: Electronic/Neo-Soul/Synth-Pop
Label: Peacefrog
Producer: Little Dragon
Week 43: Little Dragon (pt 2)
So this week marks the first time I'm repeating an artist (I reviewed their self-titled debut week 9), and that's because they are my newest musical obsession. I was a little unsure of how I was going to feel about this album, considering that I was disappointed with their sophomore the first time I heard it (I love it now), but I'm not too worried about this one. I saw them perform at Roots Picnic in Philadelphia in June and they were awesome. So pumped for this week!
Monday, July 25, 2011
Final Grade: B
Causers of This is a pretty solid album. I dig light electronic like this, nice and mellow - it's good music to just sit back and kick it to. Feel like I should listen to this on the beach or in the woods or something like that. Maybe this album will come on a lil adventure with me sometime... I think "Imprint After" is my favorite track - it's got a great groove that stood out for me against the rest. I think that the feel of the tunes were too similar a lot, I would have liked to hear more variety in style. I've heard better electronic-pop, hence the B, but this has got a lot of catchy ditties on it, so I'm gonna keep it in the rotation.
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