“We want to exist in our own bubble where we can stay curious about sounds,” says front woman Yukimi Nagano. “Curious” is putting it mildly. The sounds that have developed on Season High, Little Dragon’s sophomore album, are of another time. Past or future? That’s up for debate.

The album kicks off with “Celebrate”, a poppy tune reminiscent of Prince with strong bass lines, snappy snares and an incendiary guitar solo. And what better way to compliment an ode to the 80s than with the 90s R&B vibes on “High”. We get a true sense of Nagano’s vocal range on this track as she moves effortlessly from bright, high notes to melodiously low runs.

Starting out like Culture Club’s “Do You Really Want To Hurt Me”, “Pop Life” quickly picks up the pace. As promised in the name, it becomes an addictively poppy number. Just add rave – or a large enough living room – and you have a simple recipe for sweat. “Sweet”, keeps the party going with bubbling, game-like synth sounds and a deliciously dance-y bass line. And whether you sway, strut or slide onto the dance floor, it’s obvious from songs like these that this album was made to make you move.

Leaving the past behind, the slowly sung lyrics of “Butterflies” juxtapose against heart racing synth cords. While the lyrics have a light, fluttery quality to them, the synth screams Tron, giving it a futuristic, other-worldly vibe. “Should I” makes good use of a cowbell as well as those futuristic synth sounds. Nagano asks, “Should I care?” But Little Dragon has thrown caution to the wind with this daring track.  

While most of the songs have a palpable dance vibe, “Don’t Cry” is music to float to. As smooth as a chocolate mousse, Yukimi holds us close in this soft departure from the high electricity of the album. But Little Dragon is conscious to take us back to unstoppable rhythmic body movements with the build in “Strobe Light” and the all-bass nature of “Push.”

What might be surprising for this electronic dance album is how Little Dragon chose to end it. “Gravity” is a slow, cosmic quest, ripe with strong synth and echoing vocals. To finish Nagano’s quote, “The magic feeling that sounds can sprinkle over any boring day is what got us all hooked.” And it’s what will get you hooked on Season High.

See them on tour in a city near you:

Tour Dates:
April 27 in Houston, TX @ White Oak Music Hall**
April 29 in Lawrence, KS @ Granada Theater
April 30 in St. Louis, MO @ The Pageant**
May 2 in Columbus, OH @ Newport Music Hall**
May 3 in Detroit, MI @ Majestic Theatre**
May 4 in Toronto, ON @ Danforth Music Hall**
May 5 in Atlanta, GA @ Shaky Beats Festival
May 6 in Atlanta @ Shaky Beats Aftershow @ Masquerade
July 20 in Salt Lake City, UT @ Twilight Concert Series
July 22 in Squaw Valley, CA @ Wanderlust Festival
July 23 in Los Angeles, CA @ FYF Festival
July 26 in Morrison, CO @ Red Rocks^^
July 29 in Cooperstown, NY @ Brewery Ommegang^^
July 30 in New Haven, CT @ College Street Music Hall
July 31 in Pittsburgh, PA @ Stage AE^^
August 2 in Cleveland, OH @ House of Blues
August 3-6 in Chicago, IL @ Lollapalooza
August 4-6 in Montreal, QC @ Osheaga Festival
August 7 in Boston, MA @ Royale
August 8 in Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
August 11-13 in San Francisco, CA @ Outside Lands
August 29 in New York City, NY @ Terminal 5
August 31 in New York City, NY @ Apollo Theater
** with Goldlink

^^ with Glass Animals

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