Nikki Nack
Merrill Garbus and Nate Brenner believe that anything is possible and that every genre has its place somewhere in their music. That so many others relate to this eclectic, unpredictable mix of sounds proves they’re tapping into a sound that’s greater than themselves. Listeners love to be dazzled by sound and even the sharpest critics are left wondering what’s exactly happening here. Garbus chants into her vocoders and steps out into the spotlight for a guiding lead vocal on “Real Thing” that’s accompanied by a complex mix of odd rhythms, synthetic sounds and swooping bass lines. Producers Malay (Alicia Keys, Frank Ocean) and John Hill (Santigold, MIA, Shakira) keep the minimalism rocking. The synths frequently sound like sketches that have been cut-up beyond recognition while vocals sound like schoolyard taunts and personal moments caught on tape (“Hey Life,” “Stop That Man”). This mix of casual, random and precise captures a relatively conventional tune and pop arrangement in “Wait for a Minute” and a field holler for “Rocking Chair.” Eclecticism is in.
Merrill Garbus' music as tUnE-yArDs has always been playful but extremely confident. Her third album, Nikki Nack, is more reserved than 2011's w h o k i l l; when Garbus calms down here, she does it with the grace and certainty of an archer drawing back her bow—less a concession than a show of power.
In some respects, Merrill Garbus has come a long way since 2009, when she released her debut as Tune-Yards. That record, the eclectic Bird-Brains, was a homemade delight full of tape loops, faraway vocals, and found-recording snippets. In contrast, Nikki Nack, Garbus’ third effort, is polished, meticulously produced,…
Merrill Garbus, armed with a ukulele, an assortment of brass and percussion instruments and looping pedals, has performed…
tUnE-yArDs' music thrives on contradictions, not the least of which is how an album as singular as W H O K I L L earned the critical consensus to top The Village Voice's 2011 Pazz and Jop poll.
It's noted in her press release that Merrill Garbus started anew with Nikki Nack, unlearning already-refined skills in singing and drumming to form a new batch of songs, but in the process, she has also introduced a new arsenal of tools to the mix.
The tUnE-yArDs persona that Merrill Garbus has taken on and explored over the last five years has been responsible for some of the most experimentally wonderful sounds in modern music.
There's never been an obvious way to define tUnE-yArDs. Merrill Garbus' turbulent transmissions of pulsing rhythm and unconscious reels of garbled poetry are almost always unplaceable.
Album review: tUnE-yArDs - 'Nikki Nack'. "This is invigorating, wilful and wildly exuberant…"
<p>Pop oddball Merrill Garbus favours ideas over songs on her frantic third album, writes <strong>Ally Carnwath</strong></p>
Nikki Nack is the result of warring emotions and priorities, with Tune-Yards railing against the world while simultaneously celebrating its fluorescent beauty.
Review of Nikki Nack by tUnE yArDs, the album comes out on May 6 ON 4AD. The single "Water Fountain" is now streaming. tUnE yArDs plays 4/29 in Columbus, OH
Merrill Garbus's third Tune-Yards recording makes even the mundane sound scintillating, writes <strong>Maddy Costa</strong>
tUnE-yArDs - Nikki Nack review: A joyous record that combines bold experimentation with pop sensibilities to dazzling effect.
Merrill Garbus still has the magic on album number three. New music review by Lisa-Marie Ferla