Opening with Little Dragon’s iconic synthesizer play, the audio landscape for “Celebrate” is part 1980’s pop, part hard rock guitar riffs and Yukimi’s powerful vocals. This album sizzles, electrifies, and throbs with a liquid aural energy. Little Dragon’s music always seems to come from another planet mostly because there’s no one else like them. Inimitable and thrilling, get ready for a ride into the unknown.

“The Pop Life” and “Sweet” take over your body immediately and burst with infectious dance beats and driving rhythms that Little Dragon consistently knock out of the park. Little Dragon deliver consistent energy and spice and this album is no exception.

More on the soft repose side, “High” and “Butterfly” develop a slower beat with crooning laments. “High” is sultry- suited for the background of a making-dinner-at-their-place third date, while “Butterfly” is a more sit-and-stare-out-the-bus-window song.

“Don’t Cry” experiments with vocals and reads as a motivational, soothing ode of comfort and reassurance. “We’ll be alright now / We’ll be alright now / My love feels like a real obsession… Little darlin don’t cry / We can paint rainbows through the night.” Yukimi promises: “Even in a world of black and white / Still tryna reach the highest highs.” A new age lullaby- the voice on this song exhibits a prophetic leadership quality that makes you feel young and taken care of. Like floating in a body of water but being held up by someone’s hands.

Only a few of the songs seemed to be variations on a theme. “Should I” and “Strobe Light” didn’t seem to have the same energy as the rest of the album or seemed similar to their old material.

“Push” uses the second person to bring the listener directly into a flashy world of modelling and fame. Little Dragon paints the narrative of walking down a runway, replete with different characters talking about the show, telling you to “make love to the camera,” and the sound of cameras snapping. “Sippin on the good life / Aiming for the big win / You want the world to know / Magazine star.”

“Gravity” finishes out the album with mellow tones and a rolling outro with a variance of sci-fi sounding energies and intensities. After 10 years since their first studio album Little Dragon, Season High delivers on the Little Dragon legacy in true form. They stretch themselves in new ways but also stay on message and keep their original flavor.

review by Callie Hitchcock