Design By Humans
Published On: Wed, May 28th, 2014

tUnE-yArDs: Nikki Nack

tuneyardstUnE-yArDs
Nikki Nack
(4AD Records)

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Let’s get one thing out of the way: Merrill Garbus is really goddamn weird, as though the random capitalization of tUnE-yArDs didn’t give that away. Thankfully, her oddball perspective has given way to Nikki Nack, a collection of songs even more delightful than 2011’s w h o k i l l.

Rhythm remains the driving focus of most tracks. Garbus excels at using unconventional beats and African-inspired percussion. ā€œTime of Darkā€ could be a mainstream pop song with its churning synth, but layered vocals and the emphasis on the beat set this track apart from anything on the radio. ā€œRocking Chairā€ is incredibly simple lyrically, but the repeated vocals building up in Garbus’ deep wail mimic the tormented thoughts of insomnia.

Indeed, tension lives at the heart of this album. Opener ā€œFind a New Wayā€ addresses Garbus’ fear of success (ā€œI tried to tell him all the reasons that I had to never sing againā€), while ā€œWait for a Minuteā€ describes the difficulty of working through depression (ā€œI wait for relief, but the illness is my mindā€). Jarringly, the eighth track, ā€œWhy Do We Dine on the Tots?,ā€ is a spooky spoken word interlude, and the tots are of the human and not potato variety.

If you like your pop a bit funky and freaky with a worldly beat, then Nikki Nack will hit the spot. As ever, tUnE-yArDs is a little confusing and a lot catchy.

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tUnE-yArDs: Nikki Nack