ALBUM STREAM: tUnE-yArDs – ‘Nikki Nack’

April 25th, 2014

Nina Corcoran

Art pop is still alive, and Merril Garbus may single-handedly be making sure that’s the case. tUnE-yArDs, Garbus’ once solo project that now includes bassist Nate Brenner, is returning with her third album, Nikki Nack, out May 6 via 4AD. With only a little more than a week to go until its release, it’s now been put online for streaming in full.

We’ve already heard the extremely catchy “Water Fountain” (now in goofy, kids show-inspired music video form) and the R&B-influenced “Wait For A Minute,” but now that the whole album is out, we get to taste her still-changing sound. 2009’s BiRd BrAiNs was a lo-fi mix of dark lyrics and intricate ukulele looping. 2011’s w h o k i l l was a clean take of bass-driven freak folk and crazy-eyed pop. Nikki Nack, however, sees Garbus doing what she does best — challenging melody, rhythm, and the American way of interpreting sound. This just in, tUnE-yArDs is still imaginative as ever.

Give the album a listen over at NPR.