Album Review: Little Dragon - Nabuma Rubberband

Little Dragon left no questions about their direction with 2011's Ritual Union. Heavy, dirty synth R&B, smothered in Yukimi Nagano's candied vocals, it was one of the better incarnations of sub-dance R&B. Nabuma Rubberband is that on steroids. The Prince associations are inevitable – this is dark, progressive and epic music. They've thrown everything into the bag, from the jazzy smoothness of single Klapp Klapp to distorted almost-drum'n'bass on Underbart and the ghostly ambience of Only One, and throughout there's a deep sense of groove that ties everything together, with plenty of retro throwback. More proof Scandinavia is the next world power.