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Who Kill
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Who Kill Image
Metascore
86

Universal acclaim - based on 34 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 86 Ratings

  • Summary: Oakland experimental artist Merill Garbus returns with a second album of lo-fi sounds and eclectic noise-pop.
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Top Track

Gangsta
What's a boy to do if he'll never be a gangsta? Anger in his heart, but he'll never be a gangsta If you move into his neighborhood, he'll never make... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 34 out of 34
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 34
  3. Negative: 0 out of 34
  1. Slant Magazine
    Apr 29, 2011
    100
    A tremendous leap forward from Tune-Yards' previous efforts, w h o k i l l proves that Garbus isn't just a brainy artiste with a killer voice, but an event, someone to take notice of, a new center of gravity in the musical underground.
  2. The Independent on Sunday (UK)
    May 2, 2011
    90
    Catchy yet abrasive, noisy yet intimate, kind of funny yet also kind of scary, this is post-pop at its most vertiginously original.
  3. Austin Chronicle
    Apr 21, 2011
    89
    Garbus is a "new kinda woman," declares closing track, "Killa," and it's about damn time.
  4. The New York Times
    Apr 19, 2011
    80
    For all the ups and downs of the lyrics, the music has no doubt that manic creativity and craftsmanship, along with rhythm and noise, are a survival kit.
  5. Under The Radar
    May 18, 2011
    80
    It's truly peerless music. And though Garbus sometimes teeters on the brink of musical bombast, her imagination propels it all forward while avoiding the quicksand of self-indulgence.
  6. Spin
    Apr 20, 2011
    80
    The songs are more consistent, too, flashing a certain lyrical swagger, careening from terrific sex to celebratory violence to uncomfortable cultural realities.
  7. The Boston Phoenix
    May 25, 2011
    63
    w h o k i l l may be strange on first pass, but only by its uniqueness, a music whose microgenre would disappear in a whiff were Ms. Garbus to have never stumbled upon it within her.

See all 34 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. fredphoesh
    Aug 14, 2011
    10
    WOW. This and bon iver are the most interesting albums of the year so far, diverse, wildly creative and energetic, a bit like a lovely brew ofWOW. This and bon iver are the most interesting albums of the year so far, diverse, wildly creative and energetic, a bit like a lovely brew of dirty projectors, talking heads and vampire weekend... a nice brew indeed... but still with loads of originality.… Expand
  2. AdamK483
    Jun 22, 2012
    10
    Its an exploration of sound and atmosphere told confidently through percussion loops, an electric ukelele, a brass section and a voice soIts an exploration of sound and atmosphere told confidently through percussion loops, an electric ukelele, a brass section and a voice so powerful it will knock your socks off. Merrill Garbus takes you on a personal journey that only she could tell the way she does. I fell in love with this record at first listen and seeing her live will make you fall in love with her style and talent. One of the top albums of 2011 and a staple of individuality and confidence in a music scene dominated by an obsessive environment of who can try the hardest to be most abstract. With influences ranging from hip hop, R&B, Hawaiian music and African sounds, this is an original and captivating work told through the distinctive voice of a beautiful soul.… Expand
  4. Zeus
    Jul 12, 2011
    10
    "Like an LCD Soundsystem with a more african-orientated style, or a Vampire Weekend with a greater urgency" - That is hilarious. This album is great.
  5. pshowell
    Jun 20, 2011
    9
    One of the best new albums of the year so far. Discussed recently on "All Songs Considered". Strong songs just keep coming on thisOne of the best new albums of the year so far. Discussed recently on "All Songs Considered". Strong songs just keep coming on this album...just when you think you must have heard the best one that couldn't be topped, here comes another one. Production value improved over 2009 "Bird-brains" (hand-held recording device)...so the extreme lo-fi doesn't distract from incredible energy and diverse sounds. "Bizness" also has a very interesting video also. 9.2/10… Expand
  6. BlackPhantom
    Jan 19, 2012
    9
    tUnE-yArDs is probably the most original musical project I've seen in the past 5 years. Merril's innovative use of looping helps her musictUnE-yArDs is probably the most original musical project I've seen in the past 5 years. Merril's innovative use of looping helps her music mesh so well, the addition of Nate Brenner on bass really puts the music on another level, oh and did I mention Merril Garbus' great voice? A solid 9 from me, not only for the amazingly original instrumentation, but for the songwriting, as she chooses to use some songs for social commentary/criticism as well.… Expand
  7. MooziikMaster
    Jun 21, 2011
    9
    Surprisingly good, brilliantly weird, and just outrageous! tUnE-yArDs has created one of the better albums of 2011. This is one album thatSurprisingly good, brilliantly weird, and just outrageous! tUnE-yArDs has created one of the better albums of 2011. This is one album that everyone should check out. The best on the album are: "Es-So", "Gangsta", "Bizness", and "Doorstep".… Collapse
  8. hydrawithears
    Oct 12, 2011
    6
    tUnE-yArDs produced that very good album by Thao & Mirah and appeared on the opening Eleven which also was the best track. Her second solo LPtUnE-yArDs produced that very good album by Thao & Mirah and appeared on the opening Eleven which also was the best track. Her second solo LP happens to be one of the most hailed releases of 2011. Itâ… Expand

See all 15 User Reviews

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Awards & Rankings

11
#11 Best Album of 2011
81
#81 Most Discussed Album of 2011