Since the release of their debut album in 2007, Little Dragon have consistently transformed their sound by experimenting with soul and funk grooves, Scandinavian synth-pop and icy dance music. For their next project, a 4-track EP named “Lover Chanting” with ‘an airy and fun lightness to it’, the Gothenberg quartet has signed to Ninja Tune. You can already play the title track “Lover Chanting” and read its accompanying statement below:

[su_quote]It started with Fred searching for a wedding march inspired by a Swedish prog funk folk keyboardist called Merit Hemmingson. Erik got inspired by the track and started singing! After Erik wrote his vocal verses Yukimi got a bit worried about his lyrical abilities and stepped in to add her part on the song. Håkan flew to Germany to record a beautifully tuned clavinet. Once the clavinet was recorded Fred and Erik added their flavour with some drums and deep synth bass.[/su_quote]

[su_youtube_advanced url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_djiyT4oe8″]

Swedish indie pop band Little Dragon, which is made up of Yukimi Nagano, Erik Bodin, Fred Wallin and Håkan Wirenstrand, are known for their creativity and their new video will confirm that. Directed by Kristin-Lee Moolman, styled by IB Kamara and shot in Johannesburg, the vintage-inspired video clip features two dancers who wear dresses in a country that is still dealing with some moral and sexual taboos. About the video, the directors detailed:

[su_quote]We wanted to make a film that celebrates two dancers from Johannesburg and that feeling of being young and creating your own universe within your environment and being able to express yourself in any shape or form[/su_quote]

On i-d, where the video was premiered, Little Dragon‘s singer Yukimi Nagano added:

[su_quote]Some of our best shows have been in South Africa,[…] The crowd reaction there always catches us off guard. Somehow we feel like our music is truly understood there. Both Nabuma Rubberband and Season High have moments inspired by South African music. It all started with Erik who is married to a South African coming home from his visits with a hard drive full of mixes and tracks of South African house. We started listening to his favourite tracks on the road, the fatness and the groove combined with the electronics had us hooked. Having the Strobe Light video made there felt like the perfect place.[/su_quote]

[su_youtube_advanced url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wujabGE8aDQ”]

Keep it up with Little Dragon via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Soundcloud.

Every week, Free scours through hundreds of SoundCloud tracks to find the best new gems by artists that are flying under the radar.

Each Thursday our Brussels-based fellow overwhelms you with a variety of songs that make your head go nuts. But hey, Thursday is the new Friday! Here are a few of his favorites:

Charli XCX – Roll With Me & ILY2:

2017 will be the year of Charli XCX! I know it seems quick to say, but you can’t deny I might be right. Charli’s Vroom Vroom EP out last year was the best pop we heard and it’s hard to image someone doing better, bigger and poppier this year than what she’s doing on her new mixtape Number 1 Angel. It’s no coincidence the only current alt-pop artist as good – or even better – than Charli is Art Angel Grimes.

[su_spacer]

TOPS – Petals:

If I get the chance to tour with one band in the whole world, it definitely would be TOPS. Jeanne Penny & co always seem to enjoy touring and performing so much – which is one of their greatest features. After three years I was finally able to push “Way To Be Loved” earworm out of my head, that they were ready to pull their new “Petals” right in!

CASI – The Beast:

She’s at the edge of a breakthrough, playing her first American show ever at the Pukkelpop stage at SXSW. The PC Music-ish Casi – she’s all about pink – is the new weird pop star to follow! The instrumentals in Casi’s third single “The Beast” refer to the title while she’s doubtlessly “The Beauty” in the story.

Little Dragon – Sweet:

It’s sad “Ritual Union” is still the only Little Dragon song earning frequent airplay. Yukimi Nagano’s previous LP “Nabuma Rubberband” included massive singles as “Klapp Klapp” or “Paris”. Her show at Pukkelpop a few years ago was overwhelming. As is ther new banger “Sweet”.

Another week of fresh tracks by breaking artists around the world — brought to you by FREE. Check the full playlist below!

Check on Free‘s playlist every Thursday on HighClouds and follow our curator on Soundcloud.

Don’t leave me this way or are you gonna go my way, this week’s Deer Du Bois playlist will take or leave you by storm.

Go soak in hazy sunsets and dreamy waves with the mesmerising chillwave from Pale Honey on “Why Do I Always Feel This Way” or get drowsy “High” thanks to the long-awaited return of Little Dragon.

[su_spacer]
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/305901378″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
[su_spacer]
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/307589581″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
[su_spacer]

Nashville’s Jessie Early who amazed us all with her debut single is back with another gem of a track and with a little help from the “Holy Ghost” she’ll bring salvation to us all. Swedish mystery act Shylde took a little trip and reveals us his heart picked places on “When In Berlin.”

[su_spacer]
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/307704367″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
[su_spacer]
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/308180288″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
[su_spacer]

With “Can’t Get Enough” by Thrillers we serve you a well-deserved dose of hypertensive dance beats, just enough to sweat it out in a warm lover’s embrace on “Count on Me” by Kilter and the gorgeous LANKS on vocals!

[su_spacer]
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/308063375″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
[su_spacer]
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/308112371″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
[su_spacer]
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/307490442″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Can’t get enough, just!

If you want to drink a bit more until you get tipsy, you should check him on Facebook and Soundcloud, and follow his regular posts on our site.

[su_spacer]
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/playlists/300684168″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]