Thursday 20 February 2014

Little Dragon - Klapp Klapp


With forthcoming third album ‘Nabuma Rubberband’ (pictured) arriving later this Spring, could this finally be the year that Little Dragon receive the attention they so deserve? Since 2011’s excellent second album ‘Ritual Union’, the Swedish group released vibrant single Sunshine in 2012 and vocalist Yukimi Nagano featured on SBTRKT’s erotically charged Wildfire from his 2011 self-titled album. Klapp Klapp ushers in the next era for the band.

The ‘Rubberband’ of the new album is certainly evoked in the elastic bass of Klapp Klapp, but as the single title would suggest the real focus is the rhythm. The insistent snare beat provides a sense of forceful urgency beneath synth bleeps and Nagano’s raw vocal. Release after release, the group continue to create unique sounds – sinister, powerful and seductive.

These are three words that apply to the video too. At least, the first video. Klapp Klapp will be accompanied by two videos, both creative directed by Nabil who has worked with Kanye West, Frank Ocean and Bon Iver. This first supernatural video is directed by Taylor Cohen and certainly harks back to the band’s biggest hit to date, Ritual Union. Surely that’s about to change.

4/5

Listen: Klapp Klapp is available now. ‘Nabuma Rubberband’ is released on May 12th