Today, Little Dragon's third album, Ritual Union, drops via Peacefrog Records. I've been hooked on this album for the last week or so, because it's one of the only electronic/synthpop albums this season that has truly impressed me. And by impressed, I mean -- made me want to dance like it's nobody's business. (The only other album that's caught my attention in a similar way this summer is Holy Ghost!'s debut release.) Each year, a few albums make it onto the soundtrack of my summer -- albums that I listen to religiously during the summer months, revisit when summer's long gone, and am reminded of that feeling of the hot afternoon sun on my skin, or the smell of warm summer nights (yes, there is a smell), and just a general sense of reckless abandon. For the last few summers, albums from Passion Pit, Friendly Fires, Phoenix, Cut Copy, Caribou, Delorean, and a mixtape from Killed by Synth, all come to mind. This summer, Little Dragon's Ritual Union joins the list.
I'll be honest, though -- this album isn't for everyone. It's not something that can be easily played straight from start to finish, because it speeds up and slows down in intermittent bursts. There are some tracks that are probably better suited to be listened to while laying down and staring at the ceiling (or the stars) -- tracks that are reminiscent of music from The xx. But then there are a few tracks where the bass lines, drum machine patterns, synth use, and Yukimi Nagano's vocals are so perfectly and infectiously paired, that you just might find yourself dancing like Molly Ringwald in the Breakfast Club (or, for the fellas -- Anthony Michael Hall). It's an album that I foresee people pulling songs from to make awesome mixtapes, or even better, remixes. Seriously, I can't wait until this album starts getting the remix treatment, which I'm positive will be soon. There's nothing better than when your favorite band or DJ makes a danceable track, even more danceable.
Check out the title track below, stream the album via NPR, or go pick up a copy of the album for yourself.
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