Seraphina Lotkhamnga on July 26th, 2011

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Long before Gothenberg, Sweden’s Little Dragon landed features on two high profile tracks from Gorillaz’ “Plastic Beach,” singer Yukimi Nagano, drummer Erik Bodin and bassist Fredrik Wallin had initially burst onto the scene with their patchwork of neo-soul and electro-pop showcased on their self-titled debut in 2007. Now with additional member and keyboardist HÃ¥kan Wirenstrand, Little Dragon have just released their third studio album, “Ritual Union,” on Peace Frog/EMI. Their lead single, “Nighlight,” bears heavier ’80s references than they’ve displayed in the past, but the band’s sound is nonetheless tight as it can get despite its genre-mashing. Nagano’s vocals, somewhere between R&B cool and folk vulnerable, always seem to reel in the synths, keeping the buoyant dance beats under control.

||| Download: “Nightlight” (free this week via iTunes)

||| Also: Grab the remix by Unknown Mortal Orchestra (via Transparent).

||| Live: Little Dragon plays Oct. 6 at the Avalon.

||| More: Check out more after the jump:

Check out SBTRKT’s “Wildfire” feat. Little Dragon’s Yukimi Nagano below.