YUKIMI - “FOR YOU” REVIEW
Written by Beau Croxton
Yukimi Nagano by Fredrik Egerstrand
Yukimi Nagano of Little Dragon runs free on For You - a down to earth, cozy, and solid solo record that shows her many sides as not just an artist, but as a person.
In December 2024, I was lucky to catch Yukimi previewing nearly all of her new solo songs in New York City at an intimate live show at Le Poisson Rouge. What I heard on stage that night was different from the artsy lead singer of Little Dragon that I have seen over the last decade. Yukimi still carried her same sparkling swagger and technical proficiencies, but I heard a singer who was passionate about baring even more of her heart and soul. Yukimi’s new songs found her very much in touch with the raw feelings of life. Yukimi’s debut solo album For You doubles down on those sentiments in a beautiful way.
On “Prelude For You” Yukimi states “And here we are, spinning on a planet together. All I really, really wish for is that we remember to be connected.” As this reflective solo album unfolds from there, it becomes easy to connect, as her own experiences are so relatable.
“Make Me Whole” is a cinematic and gorgeous lead-in, full of the soulful and smooth vocal magic she has championed in the past decade plus . The production feels very considered with walking, descending basslines on the chorus and dive-bombing synths. The last seconds of the track envelop the listener in gorgeous layered vocals. It manages to be an album highlight and also serves as a perfect ramp-up to the triumphant vibe on the next track. “Break Me Down” marches in with a long drum roll and a persistent bassline with the slightest amount of fuzz to drive it forward. This lead single finds Yukimi really working to her strengths, as both choruses are perfectly split into her lower octave (which flaunts her unique-sounding low register) and in her soaring classic high register. “Break Me Down” was chosen wisely as a lead single and features a stunning video- which enhances this career highlight. “Runaway” showcases Nagano’s voice; and the bass synth and electronics are such a vibe you may find yourself dancing and weaving for the whole runtime without even realizing there is not one beat drop in sight. Runaway is a personal highlight and a stunner that really lets her vocal range soar.
On For You, listeners get to hear a completely new side to Nagano not immediately apparent in her work with Little Dragon. “Elinam” & “Jaxon” are two touching songs for her sons that show a motherly and wholesome side to the singer. Although the first few tracks on the album are slightly “Little-Dragon friendly” for her fans to ease into her new era, it doesn't take long for Yukimi to break free of any preconceived expectations from her previous project. Nagano proves she can thrive on a less familiar backdrop of acoustics, delicate indie-pop and understated instrumentation on “Elinam” and “Stream Of Consciousness”. For You has the listener hanging on the solo artist’s every word and vocal inflection rather than focusing on busy instrumentals.
For You cover by Fredrik Egerstrand
The B-side showcases a very consistent string of consecutive tracks. The gorgeously jazzy “Rules of School” is a highlight that carries so many of the admirable characteristics of Yukimi's voice. According to Yukimi, “Sad Makeup” is about “those days when you try to push down a sad feeling”. In this catchy ditty, Yukimi turns this feeling into an important breakthrough and makes it sound like a happy discovery, perhaps by coming to peace with it. It is nearly impossible to resist cracking a smile during “Peace Reign”, which is downright delightful. Yukimi’s jazzy Winehouse tendencies from Little Dragon’s self-titled record reappear in dashes on “Peace Reign” in some great vocal runs; it's a real warm and fuzzy bop. “No Prince” is a more Little-Dragon-sounding tune that finds her vocals going crazy in the back half.
“Winter is Not Dead” might not feel like a “smash hit” but it’s definitely one of the more cool, clever and unique cuts. This track is an artsy romp about the limited presence of the Sun in Sweden during Winter. It feels like a ritualistic ceremony for spring and brings an euphoric feeling of renewal. In a stunningly emotional moment on “Jaxon”, Yukimi assures her first born son that an angel is watching over him. It is not until a surprise guest verse by Pos (from De La Soul) that the listener learns that the “angel” is a reference to the boy’s recently passed father. “Jaxon” has a specific and artful way revealing its tragic but beautiful storytelling, which really resonates. One can only imagine that having this song precede “Feels Good to Cry” may have been very cathartic for Yukimi. The album ends with a very real feeling of her heart on her sleeve and her tears on the page.
For You is a gorgeous, calm and easy listen, and it’s a major stride for the Swedish singer towards a promising solo career . The way the tracks and moods of For You work in tandem and flow off of each other is very streamlined. On her prelude to the album, Nagano states “When you write from a place that feels deeply personal, it all becomes very human- And that's why I'm calling this album For You, Because, even though it's about me, it's equally about you”. Yukimi couldn't have chosen a better thesis statement for this record, because her ability to connect with the listener on a human level is immediately apparent and it is significantly underlined by the end. If you are a crying puddle by the last two emotional tracks, it just means you have a beating heart. After all, sometimes it “Feels Good to Cry.”
Perhaps For You is geared more towards fans who are more open to a calm and emotionally beautiful side of the singer’s universe than the fans who are just trying to hit the club. While the desire to groove is very understandable, there is something to be said about the benefit of slowing down, reflecting and making time to connect with the complexities of being human. By the end of this record you can realize that another clubby album from this singer would be very far from the point the artist was trying to convey. Much like the song “Winter is Not Dead” the album feels timely as we go into the Spring season, thawing out of ice and hardship, into a beautiful and healing renewal for the year…hopefully where peace will reign for you.
Occult Highlights: Break Me Down, Peace Reign, Rules of School, Make Me whole, Runaway, No Prince
(...but we recommend you spin the whole thing on a crisp spring morning with a warm beverage.)