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Ritual Union
by
Ritual Union Image
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 30 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 28 Ratings

  • Summary: The Swedish foursome release a third album of experimental electro-pop.

Top Track

Ritual Union
Ritual union’s got me in trouble again I was wonderin’ of a white dress And the mistress And a spirit holding my hand! Love’s sinking in the... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 30
  3. Negative: 0 out of 30
  1. The Telegraph (UK)
    Jul 21, 2011
    100
    Though consistently ground-breaking and lyrically challenging, Ritual Union never feels like hard work.
  2. Entertainment Weekly
    Jul 27, 2011
    83
    It's ambient R&B for restless nights. [29 Jul 2011, p.72]
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  3. The Guardian
    Jul 14, 2011
    80
    As the album withdraws from the dancefloor to the lonelier darkness of Summertearz and Seconds, Nagano lures you to follow.
  4. Mojo
    Nov 22, 2011
    80
    Ritual Union feels like the point at which Little Dragon's lyrical stride finally gets in step with their musical ambition. [Aug. 2011, p. 93]
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  5. Filter
    Jul 25, 2011
    78
    Though captivating siren Yukimi Nagano needs to turn it loose…watch out once she does.
  6. Spin
    Jul 13, 2011
    70
    Little Dragon's third full-length deepens the group's down-tempo mix of icy techno and smoldering R&B.
  7. Consequence
    Jul 26, 2011
    40
    In summation, for a band that received little limelight in the beginning, Little Dragon showed immense talent and work ethic to earn their keep in the world. Our question is this: Where were those two items when recording Ritual Union?

See all 30 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. Kiyoshi
    Jan 23, 2012
    8
    Really solid album that starts off with a hell of a bang and doesn't let go until it's over. I would say it's their best and not even reallyReally solid album that starts off with a hell of a bang and doesn't let go until it's over. I would say it's their best and not even really all that close. Shuffle A Dream is one of the greatest songs that's come out of any genre in years. Please Turn is amazing as well, hell all of the tracks are.… Collapse
  2. clem666
    Aug 26, 2020
    7
    Some few songs really are impossible to listen to. Those are exaggeretedly repetitive, strident or simply pointless and uninterpretable. ButSome few songs really are impossible to listen to. Those are exaggeretedly repetitive, strident or simply pointless and uninterpretable. But still 'Ritual Union' remains a really impressive album full of brilliant ideas and shocking turnarounds. Vocals beautifully deserve the beats and the atmosphere without being the main centre of the project. Speaking of atmosphere, Little Dragon makes us approach it in varied different ways. Clearly synthpop in its most original form.… Expand
  4. j30
    Aug 11, 2011
    5
    I was a bit disappointed in this album. After hearing Little Dragon's contributions to Gorillaz (best song on the album, Empire Antz) andI was a bit disappointed in this album. After hearing Little Dragon's contributions to Gorillaz (best song on the album, Empire Antz) and Maximum Balloon (If You Return) you'd expect something a bit more fresh. I really wanted to like this album and I'm still interested to hear where they go from here. All in all it's just meh.… Expand
  5. MorriBey
    Aug 3, 2011
    4
    The first track is good but all of the rest of the album is just noise. Pity they couldn't repeat the first track over the rest of the album.The first track is good but all of the rest of the album is just noise. Pity they couldn't repeat the first track over the rest of the album. Speaking about that good first track...its awful to watch on studio live versions as the vocal distortions dont work live.… Expand

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