Little Dragon#Singles
{{short description|Swedish electronic band}}
{{About|the band|their eponymous album|Little Dragon (album)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Use British English|date=July 2011}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Little Dragon
| background = group_or_band
| image = Little Dragon Red Wall Snap.jpg
| caption = Little Dragon in 2010. From left to right: Erik Bodin, Yukimi Nagano, Fredrik Wallin, Håkan Wirenstrand
| origin = Gothenburg, Sweden
| genre = {{hlist|Trip hop{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/spring-music-preview-2014-27-must-hear-albums-20140303/little-dragon-nabuma-rubberband-may-13th-19691231 |title=Little Dragon, 'Nabuma Rubberband' (May 13th) – Spring Music Preview 2014: 27 Must-Hear Albums |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=3 March 2014 |access-date=17 May 2015}}|downtempo{{cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-xpm-2011-aug-15-la-et-picks15-20110815-story.html |title=Happening Monday: Little Dragon, Adele and more |work=Los Angeles Times |date=15 August 2011 |access-date=17 May 2015}}|synth-pop|electro-indie|dream pop{{cite web |last=Weiss |first=Sam |url=http://www.complex.com/music/2012/10/little-dragon-responds-to-dropped-big-boi-collaboration |title=Little Dragon Responds to Dropped Big Boi Collaboration |work=Complex |date=3 October 2012 |access-date=17 May 2015}}|soul{{cite web |last=Murphy |first=Kilian |url=http://www.hotpress.com/Little-Dragon/music/reviews/albums/Little-Dragon/4050236.html |title=Little Dragon |work=Hot Press |date=3 September 2007 |access-date=17 May 2015}}|alternative R&B{{cite web |last=Bachor |first=Ken |url=https://www.spin.com/2011/08/10-must-hear-artists-outside-lands-fest/110726-little-dragon/ |title=10 Must-Hear Artists at Outside Lands Fest: Little Dragon |work=Spin |date=10 August 2011 |access-date=17 May 2015}}}}
| years_active = 1996–present
| label = {{hlist|Off the Wall|Peacefrog|JVC Victor|Because|Loma Vista|Republic|Ninja Tune}}
| website = {{URL|http://little-dragon.net/}}
| current_members =
- Yukimi Nagano
- Erik Bodin
- Fredrik Wallin
- Håkan Wirenstrand
}}
Little Dragon are a Swedish electronic music band from Gothenburg, Sweden, formed in 1996. The band consists of Yukimi Nagano (vocals, percussion), Erik Bodin (drums), Fredrik Wallin (bass) and Håkan Wirenstrand (keyboards).
Little Dragon's first release was the double A-side seven-inch vinyl single "Twice"/"Test", released on the Off the Wall label in 2006. The following year, the band signed with the larger British independent label Peacefrog Records and released their eponymous debut album in August 2007.{{cite web |url=http://www.peacefrog.com/artists/little-dragon |title=Peacefrog : Artists : Little Dragon |publisher=Peacefrog Records |access-date=28 July 2011}} Their second album, Machine Dreams, was released in August 2009, and gathered favourable reviews. The third album, Ritual Union, was released in July 2011 and was ranked at number 41 on Rolling Stone list of the 50 Best Albums of 2011.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/50-best-albums-of-2011-20111207/little-dragon-ritual-union-19691231 |title=50 Best Albums of 2011: Little Dragon, 'Ritual Union' |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=7 December 2011 |access-date=13 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120107172228/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/50-best-albums-of-2011-20111207/little-dragon-ritual-union-19691231 |archive-date=7 January 2012 |url-status=dead }} Clash placed it at number 31 on its list of The Top 40 Albums of 2011.{{cite web |url=http://www.clashmusic.com/feature/the-top-40-albums-of-2011-40-31 |title=The Top 40 Albums Of 2011: 40 – 31 |work=Clash |date=2 December 2011 |access-date=13 July 2016}}
The band's fourth studio album, Nabuma Rubberband, was released in May 2014 by Because Music and was met with critical acclaim. It received a nomination for Best Dance/Electronic Album at the 57th Annual Grammy Awards. The band's fifth studio album, Season High, was released on 14 April 2017. New Me, Same Us, the band's sixth studio album, was released on 27 March 2020.{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/littledragonpage/videos/heeey-new-me-same-us-is-released-today-this-album-is-about-change-the-inner-pers/212293463418424/|title=Little Dragon on Facebook Watch|access-date=4 October 2020|website=Facebook.com}} Their most recent album, Slugs of Love, was released on 7 July 2023.
History
Little Dragon formed in 1996 in Gothenburg, Sweden. Yukimi Nagano was in her first year in high school when she met seniors Fredrik Wallin and Erik Bodin. The three of them would meet up after school to jam and play records by De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest and Alice Coltrane.{{cite web |last=Rathe |first=Adam |url=https://www.spin.com/2011/04/rise-little-dragon/ |title=The Rise of Little Dragon |work=Spin |date=11 April 2011 |access-date=23 December 2017 |quote=The band formed 15 years ago in Gothenburg, Sweden.}} The band's name was inspired by the "Little Dragon" nickname Nagano earned due to the "fuming tantrums" she used to throw while recording in the studio. "It's a little exaggerated, but there is some truth in it", Nagano said. "But we've grown up a bit, and I realised you can't have a fit every day because otherwise you won't be able to stand each other."{{cite web |last=Purdie |first=Ross |url=http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=8275138 |title=Little Dragon happy getting big |work=Nine News |date=20 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721230329/http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=8275138 |archive-date=21 July 2011 |access-date=28 July 2011}}
Little Dragon have toured throughout Europe and has also made music videos for the songs "Test", "Twice", "Constant Surprises", "After the Rain" and "Fortune". The video for "Twice" was directed by award-winning Swedish filmmaker Johannes Nyholm. The double A-side single "Fortune"/"Blinking Pigs" was released in the UK on 26 January 2009.
Little Dragon were chosen as one of Beyond Race Magazine's "50 Emerging Artists" in late 2009, resulting in a spot in the publication's 11th issue as well as an exclusive online Q&A on the magazine's site.{{cite web |last=Gao |first=Boyuan |url=http://beyondrace.com/articles/features/2288-little-dragon |title=Little Dragon |work=Beyond Race Magazine |year=2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100222051621/http://beyondrace.com/articles/features/2288-little-dragon |archive-date=22 February 2010 |access-date=22 February 2010}} On the recommendation of his wife, Damon Albarn invited Nagano and her bandmates to feature on Gorillaz's 2010 album Plastic Beach, appearing on the tracks "Empire Ants" and "To Binge". Albarn then asked Little Dragon to join Gorillaz on their Escape to Plastic Beach Tour.{{cite magazine |last=Vick |first=Megan |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/950825/little-dragon-preps-new-album-after-gorillaz-tour |title=Little Dragon Preps New Album After Gorillaz Tour |magazine=Billboard |date=29 December 2010 |access-date=21 June 2014}} In September 2011, former keyboardist Arild Werling rejoined the group on support keys during live performances.{{cite web |url=http://www.littledragonnews.com/index.php/is-the-little-dragon-set-to-grow-a-fifth-limb/ |title=Is the Little Dragon set to grow a fifth limb? |publisher=Little Dragon News |date=19 September 2011 |access-date=3 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160917210133/http://www.littledragonnews.com/index.php/is-the-little-dragon-set-to-grow-a-fifth-limb/ |archive-date=17 September 2016 |url-status=dead }}
Little Dragon's fourth studio album, Nabuma Rubberband, was released on 12 May 2014 in the United Kingdom via Because Music and on 13 May in the United States via Loma Vista Recordings.{{cite web |last=Pelly |first=Jenn |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/53957-little-dragon-announce-new-album-nabuma-rubberband-share-single-klapp-klapp/ |title=Little Dragon Announce New Album Nabuma Rubberband, Share Single "Klapp Klapp" |work=Pitchfork |date=13 February 2014 |access-date=21 June 2014}} The album was inspired by Janet Jackson's slow jams.{{cite magazine |last=Newman |first=Jason |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/videos/little-dragon-return-with-new-album-nabuma-rubberband-20140214 |title=Little Dragon Return With New Album 'Nabuma Rubberband' |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=14 February 2014 |access-date=21 June 2014}} "Klapp Klapp" was released as the album's lead single. The second single, "Paris", debuted on Zane Lowe's BBC Radio 1 programme on 8 April 2014.{{cite web |last=Gordon |first=Jeremy |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/54702-little-dragon-debut-new-song-paris/ |title=Little Dragon Debut New Song "Paris" |work=Pitchfork |date=8 April 2014 |access-date=21 June 2014}} Nabuma Rubberband received a nomination for Best Dance/Electronic Album at the 57th Annual Grammy Awards.{{cite web |url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/la-et-ms-grammys-2015-nominees-winners-list-story.html |title=Grammys 2015: Complete list of nominees |work=Los Angeles Times|date=5 December 2014 |access-date=9 July 2015}}
The band's fifth studio album, Season High, was released on 14 April 2017 by Loma Vista Recordings. It has spawned the singles "High" and "Sweet".{{cite web |last=Yoo |first=Noah |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/71632-little-dragon-share-new-track-sweet-listen/ |title=Little Dragon Announce New Album Season High, Share New "Sweet" Video: Watch |work=Pitchfork |date=8 March 2017 |access-date=11 March 2017}}
Members
- Yukimi Nagano – vocals, percussion
- Fredrik Wallin – keyboards, synth, bass guitar
- Håkan Wirenstrand – keyboards
- Erik Bodin – drums
Discography
=Studio albums=
=Remix albums=
- Nabuma Purple Rubberband (2015){{cite web |url=http://www.adultswim.com/music/little-dragon/ |title=Nabuma Purple Rubberband |publisher=Adult Swim |access-date=13 July 2016}}
- New Me, Same Us Remix (2021)
=Compilation albums=
=Extended plays=
- Twice Remix EP (2008){{cite web |url=https://music.apple.com/se/album/twice-remix-ep/298467974?l=en-GB |title=Twice Remix – EP by Little Dragon |website=iTunes Store |date=8 December 2008 |location=Sweden |access-date=21 June 2014}}
- Blinking Pigs (2010){{cite web |url=https://music.apple.com/se/album/blinking-pigs-ep/400206917?l=en |title=Blinking Pigs – EP by Little Dragon |website=iTunes Store |date=November 2010 |location=Sweden |access-date=21 June 2014}}
- Ritual Union EP (2011){{cite web |url=https://itunes.apple.com/se/album/ritual-union-ep/id463748615?l=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306043456/https://itunes.apple.com/se/album/ritual-union-ep/id463748615?l=en |url-status=dead |archive-date=6 March 2016 |title=Ritual Union (Remixes) – EP by Little Dragon |website=iTunes Store |date=12 September 2011 |location=Sweden |access-date=6 July 2016}}
- Little Man EP (2011){{cite web |url=https://itunes.apple.com/se/album/little-man-remixes-ep/id477248047?l=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305221756/https://itunes.apple.com/se/album/little-man-remixes-ep/id477248047?l=en |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 March 2016 |title=Little Man (Remixes) – EP by Little Dragon |website=iTunes Store |date=31 October 2011 |location=Sweden |access-date=6 July 2016}}
- Amazon Artist Lounge (2014){{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00JZJQXS0 |title=Amazon Artist Lounge: Little Dragon: MP3 Downloads |website=Amazon |location=United Kingdom |access-date=21 June 2014}}
- Klapp Klapp / Paris Remixes (2014){{cite web |url=https://itunes.apple.com/se/album/klapp-klapp-paris-remixes-ep/id899628501?l=en |title=Klapp Klapp / Paris Remixes - EP by Little Dragon |website=iTunes Store |location=Sweden |access-date=6 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160921193807/https://itunes.apple.com/se/album/klapp-klapp-paris-remixes-ep/id899628501?l=en |archive-date=21 September 2016}}
- Lover Chanting (2018)
- Drifting Out (2021)
- Opening the Door (2022)
- Slipping Into Color (with April + Vista) (2023) {{Citation |title=Slipping Into Color - EP by Little Dragon & April + Vista |date=2023-09-20 |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/slipping-into-color-ep/1705053533 |access-date=2023-11-09 |language=en-US}}
=Singles=
==As lead artist==
==As featured artist==
=Guest appearances=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |
| scope="col" style="width:10em;"| Title
! scope="col"| Year ! scope="col" style="width:12em;"| Other artist(s) ! scope="col" style="width:20em;"| Album |
|---|
| scope="row"| "Empire Ants"
| rowspan="3"| 2010 | rowspan="2" |Gorillaz | rowspan="2"| Plastic Beach |
| scope="row"| "To Binge" |
| scope="row"| "If You Return" |
| scope="row"| "Thom Pettie"
| rowspan="3"| 2012 | rowspan="3"| Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors |
| scope="row"| "Descending"
| Big Boi |
| scope="row"| "Higher Res"
| Big Boi, Jai Paul |
| scope="row"| "Wanderer"
| rowspan="3"| 2015 | {{n/a|None}} |
| scope="row"| "The Festival"
| GO:OD AM |
| scope="row"| "Mountains Have a Face Too"
| Billion One |
| scope="row"| "Bullets"
| rowspan="3"| 2016 | 99.9% |
| scope="row"| "Take a Chance"
| Flume | Skin |
| scope="row"| "Drawn" |
| scope="row"| "Stuck with Me"
| 2018 | Tinashe | Joyride |
| scope="row"| "Pressure"
| rowspan="2"| 2019 |
| scope="row"| "Spontaneous"
| Flamagra |
| scope="row"| "Presence"
| 2021 |
=Music videos=
Notes
{{Notelist-ua}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category|Little Dragon}}
- {{Official website|https://little-dragon.net/|Official website}}
- {{AllMusic|id=little-dragon-mn0000992751}}
{{Little Dragon}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:1996 establishments in Sweden
Category:Contemporary R&B musical groups
Category:Swedish dream pop musical groups
Category:Musical groups established in 1996
Category:Musical groups from Gothenburg
Category:Swedish musical quartets
Category:Republic Records artists
Category:Swedish soul musical groups
Category:Swedish synth-pop groups
Category:Love Da Records artists
Category:Because Music artists
Category:Loma Vista Recordings artists
Category:Peacefrog Records artists
Category:Female-fronted musical groups
Category:1990s establishments in Gothenburg and Bohus County