Album Review: Little Dragon - New Me, Same Us

Friends since high school, Swedish outfit Little Dragon continue to impress with the slow but steady release of albums full of smooth-as-silk synth-pop tunes. New Me, Same Us measures individual personal growth against the Little Dragon whole and delivers sophisticated, dreamy adult-pop adrift on an ocean of emotion.

Håkan Wirenstrand and Fredrik Wallin are synth heads of the highest order. Their programming and choice of sounds is impeccable as always and provides vocalist Yukimi Nagano with a very solid foundation from which to work her magic.

Interestingly, last year's single Tongue Kissing isn’t featured in this collection. The lead single Hold On, set to a rubbery house beat, is a funky groove that deals in melancholy, 'no hard feelings' break-up sentiments before skipping out the door. 

Strangely, it’s the slow-burning tracks - soulful and sultry takes on urban groove - that really hit the spot. Nagano's vocals deepen seductively when she’s dealing lyrical reflectiveness. Where You Belong is a deep soulful slow jam, while the rippling shimmer of dreamy tunes like Water and Another Lover caress and soothe the ears.