Little Dragon have quietly come along and become one of the most outstanding bands on the planet.
Based in Gotheburg, Sweden, the band is comprised of front woman, Yukimi Nagano (also known for her work with Koop), Erik Bodin on drums, Fredrik Källgren Wallin on bass, and Håkan Wirenstrand on keyboards.
Their first release, "Little Dragon", is somber and reflective, with melancholic songs like "Twice" (see the video above) and "Constant Surprises".
Their latest, "Machine Dreams", is different. It's happy and almost whimsical. The shift in tone is dramatic, yet consistently brilliant. "The Step" will make you pop-lock and daydream of "Beat Street" style break dancers of the late 80s. "Looking Glass" is a romp through the 80s, and reminds me of New Order, topped with a little Cyndie Lauper.
listen / download:
Little Dragon - The Step [thx audiodrums] -- buy this song @ Amazon
Little Dragon - Looking Glass [thx punkreas]
Classixx is a disco outfit based in Los Angeles, CA. The duo, Tyler Blake and Michael, formerly known as the "Young Americans", have been creating awesome productions over the past year, in addition to remixing Phoenix, Holy Ghost!, and Major Lazer, to name a few. I recently discovered their remix Major Lazer's "Cash Flow", and I daresay that it might be one of my favorite tracks of the year. Their remix of Holy Ghost's "I Will Come Back" comes in at a close second.
Their sound is uniquely authentic of classic disco of the 70s and early 80s. It's quite challenging to re-reate this sound without sounding cliche. Classixx songs feel like they have been time warped from the late 70s, perfectly reminiscient of the most awesome producers of the era, like Moroder, Nile Rogers and Steely Dan.
listen/right-click to download:
major lazer - cash flow (classixx glass bottom dub mix) (thx discodust)
holy ghost! - i will come back (classixx acapulco nights version) (thx discodust)
