The band's synth-based R&B accelerates into pure dance mode on only a couple of occasions, most notably in leading single Klapp Klapp and its superior follow-up Paris, with the bulk of the album dedicated to soulful slow jams.
Citing Janet Jackson as an influence, Little Dragon might just as accurately have acknowledged the hand of Soul II Soul or Mica Paris on this cooled-down collection of thinking-person's electronica.
Vocalist Yukimi Nagano is a superb fit, controlled, pitch-perfect and always in touch with the mood.
- Little Dragon. Namuba Rubberband. Loma Vista. 4 stars (out of 5)
Single download: Paris
For those who like: SBTRKT, Phantogram, Strawpeople
- Jeff Harford
