Machine Dreams by Little Dragon
LABEL: Peacefrog Records

It used to be that buying an album was a far more serious experiment. Often it involved throwing down a chunk of change for 12 tracks that in some cases, were all pretty foreign save a radio hit or two. Unless you had one of those rad record stores that would let you play anything in the store before you plunked down your dough, there was always a leap of faith that led to triumph or disappointment.

No longer. These days you can try just about anything and barriers to purchase are as porous as Swiss cheese. Whereas you once enthusiastically picked up a new record every couple weeks, it’s very plausible that you could, right this very moment, have a gigabyte of tunes sitting dormant on your drive that you’ve never even touched.

For this reviewer, Little Dragon’s Machine Dreams fell in that latter category. Maybe one listen with lots of seeking and sadly, on to the next thing.

And that, friends, was a mistake. Truth be told, Machine Dreams isn’t an album that will blow you over with any immediacy. And because a virgin experience is vital when there are 3.7 million other discs waiting for a spin, initial mediocrity is typically a problem. At the end of this decade, you’re just not going to pour over a disc 8,000 times to justify your purchase.

If you’re able to break through the outer shell of seemingly unimpressive electro-pop and let this one burn in a little, chances are you’ll wind up very pleased with your commitment.

From the get go, the album has one solid gold, certified banger in “My Step,” a pleasantly blippy tune that shines brightest when the mechanical machine gun chorus bursts onto the scene.

After multiple listens, new gems begin to appear. Excellently re-imagined genres and influences bubble to the surface over the course of the collection. Vintage Koop comes to life in “Thunder Love” and “Never Never” allows warm/moody electronics in the style of Junior Boys to peek through ever so slightly.

The album’s second strongest effort, “Runabout” allows lead singer Yukimi Nagano to explore her inner Cyndi Lauper with fun and carefree chirps and a hopped up bass line. Truth be told, several tracks on Machine Dream capture the same late 80s nonchalance and bubbly exuberance. “Swimming” and “Feather” both deliver on the promise quite nicely.

Like a prize winning chia pet, Little Dragon’s Machine Dream, when nurtured and given adequate chance to grow, will provide even the most discerning owners truly impressive results.


REVIEWED BY ALEC BRINEGAR
ALEC'S FAVORITE TRACKS: "My Step" • "Runabout" • "Swimming"

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