Nikki Nack
by tUnE-yArDs
  • Record Label: 4AD
  • Release Date: May 6, 2014
Metascore
83

Universal acclaim - based on 38 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 34 out of 38
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 38
  3. Negative: 0 out of 38
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  1. The Observer (UK)
    May 5, 2014
    60
    Garbus's voice is jostled too much amid the hectic production to allow its personality to shine through and, with some notable exceptions (the call and response of Real Thing), hooks are hurried on before properly taking root.
  2. The 405
    May 2, 2014
    60
    Garbus' sound is still a little too vague, still in need of some real streamlining; the promise remains blindingly obvious, but the execution, for my money at least, is still missing.
  3. Boston Globe
    May 6, 2014
    50
    Nikki Nack is ear candy, crammed with shards of looped instruments poking their heads above ground like skittish gophers and odd, counterintuitive vocal rhythms.... Unfortunately, too many songs have so much sugar-rush action, like the judder and clack of “Find a New Way,” that they fly apart.
  5. Consequence
    May 6, 2014
    50
    Parts of Nikki Nack are interesting, deeply beautiful, and insanely catchy. Other parts are painful to listen to given their overt blindness to the nuances of holding conversations like the ones she attempts to initiate.

Awards & Rankings

54
#54 Best Album of 2014

User Reviews

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User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 56 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 47 out of 56
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 56
  3. Negative: 3 out of 56
  1. danceordie
    May 6, 2014
    10
    Nikki Nack is energy, vibrant, fresh. album is a tribal party with interesting sounds. Merrill makes charming crazy music. Best songs on theNikki Nack is energy, vibrant, fresh. album is a tribal party with interesting sounds. Merrill makes charming crazy music. Best songs on the album are: Water Fountain, Sink-O, Stop that man & Wait for a Minute. i think this is her Magnum opus. well done Merrill!… Full Review »
  2. Muddsjr
    Oct 30, 2014
    8
    Tune Yards' Nikki Nack is about as creative as it is nuts. And that's what makes it such a genuinely lovable album for me. The music isTune Yards' Nikki Nack is about as creative as it is nuts. And that's what makes it such a genuinely lovable album for me. The music is experimental, but never overdone, and suits the mad, play-fullness of her voice, and with some more serious moments in there as well (Time of Dark) it is proven Tune Yards is a talented artist in her ability to entertain us and also have fun whilst doing so as well, which you can hear very clearly.… Full Review »
  3. adhamhany
    Jul 24, 2014
    8
    This is, in my opinion, better than her sophomore album. Much more accessible; it has music that's rich in layers (Hey Life), and sometimes isThis is, in my opinion, better than her sophomore album. Much more accessible; it has music that's rich in layers (Hey Life), and sometimes is catchy as hell (Wait for a Minute).

    Of course, sometimes it's not so good either, which is one of the two things keeping this album from achieving true greatness. The other would be the vocals. It's inconsistent. Not only in style (which i don't mind), but in quality as well (and that i do). Some tracks have really excellent singing (Water Fountain), while in other she's basically shouting the whole track (Rocking Chair).

    Unfortunately, a big part of the album has one of the problems, or the two of them together. That doesn't make it a bad album by any means. It's still excellent, but not the classic it could have been.    … Full Review »
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