November 17 street date. It marks the official release date for Montreal resident Merrill Garbus’, AKA tUnE-yArDs debut, "BiRd-BrAiNs" when it will be released formally on CD, remastered with two extra tracks. Originally issued through 4AD in late Sept. as a highly limited edition CD pressing with hand screenprinted sleeve, it has completely sold out. Possessing an expansive sound that marries a coarse folk ingenuity with the bold pop sensibility of an R&B siren, "BiRd-BrAiNs" was assembled with a staunch DIY aesthetic. Recording herself using a digital voice recorder and produced using shareware mixing software. She has been described by Stereogum as "a self-contained Sublime Frequencies compilation, jumping between blues, African tunes, shiny reggae-esque sprawls, and lo-fi folk, infusing the worldly sonic palette of M.I.A. or post-punk pioneers The Raincoats".
April 19 street date. "w h o k i l l", the sophomore album by Merrill Garbus’ tUnE-yArDs, will thrill fans of the live show that left most stunned in 2010. No longer is Garbus’ artful songwriting and soulful voice obscured by digital fuzz as it often was on her solo debut, "BiRd-BrAiNs". As Merrill transplanted herself and her belongings from Montréal to sunny Oakland, California, touring
almost non-stop for over two years, tUnE-yArDs stripped away to a more precise, more concentrated, and more vivid sound. On "w h o k i l l", the honesty of the lonely bedroom confessional remains, but has grown the fangs and claws and dented metal of its new surroundings. Garbus has applied the tUnE-yArDs live approach to her studio work for the first time on the new album. Her tools have not changed. Rather, she’s added more buttons and joints to those already being used (one essential new joint is dexterous bass player Nate Brenner, who co-wrote a few songs.) The opportunities exploited are evident in "w h o k i l l"’s dynamic range as it matches Garbus’ creative strides. There’s no substitute for a good microphone, and the sonic nuances that can only be achieved through masterful recording techniques - producer Garbus and engineer Eli Crews are to be thanked - can be heard in each drumbeat and vocal line. So here we have it. A remarkable record from a creative force so strong and focused, "w h o k i l l" practically jumps out of it’s shoes.
April 19 street date. "w h o k i l l", the sophomore album by Merrill Garbus’ tUnE-yArDs, will thrill fans of the live show that left most stunned in 2010. No longer is Garbus’ artful songwriting and soulful voice obscured by digital fuzz as it often was on her solo debut, "BiRd-BrAiNs". As Merrill transplanted herself and her belongings from Montréal to sunny Oakland, California, touring
almost non-stop for over two years, tUnE-yArDs stripped away to a more precise, more concentrated, and more vivid sound. On "w h o k i l l", the honesty of the lonely bedroom confessional remains, but has grown the fangs and claws and dented metal of its new surroundings. Garbus has applied the tUnE-yArDs live approach to her studio work for the first time on the new album. Her tools have not changed. Rather, she’s added more buttons and joints to those already being used (one essential new joint is dexterous bass player Nate Brenner, who co-wrote a few songs.) The opportunities exploited are evident in "w h o k i l l"’s dynamic range as it matches Garbus’ creative strides. There’s no substitute for a good microphone, and the sonic nuances that can only be achieved through masterful recording techniques - producer Garbus and engineer Eli Crews are to be thanked - can be heard in each drumbeat and vocal line. So here we have it. A remarkable record from a creative force so strong and focused, "w h o k i l l" practically jumps out of it’s shoes.
October 11 street date. Following the unprecedented success of second album w h o k i l l which was released earlier this year,
tUnE-yArDs return with a new single. 'Gangsta'. Already released digitally, the limited edition 5 track 12" coloured vinyl EP is available now. 'Gangsta' is a track that grabs your attention immediately with the opening salvo of "What’s a boy to do if he’ll never be a gangsta? Anger in his heart that he’ll never be a gangsta". The song recently took on a different shape when the band made their US TV debut on Late Night Wh Jimmy Fallon, with Merrill and the band performing it with The Roots. This US Import 12" takes the hip-hop inspired elements of ‘Gangsta’ even further with remixes from legends in the field, Adrock (Beastie Boys) and Cut Chemist (Jurassic 5, Ozomatli and DJ Shadow collaborator). Like all good old school records, the 12" is completed with not only the original but also with both the instrumental and a cappella versions of the track.
May 6 street date. 4AD is thrilled to announce the release of tUnE-yArDs’ third album, "Nikki Nack". The brilliantly playful album follows on from 2011's hugely successful "w h o k i l l", an album that ended the year high in most Top Ten lists, even topping the highly prestigious Village Voice Pazz & Jop poll, based on votes from 700 of America’s notable music critics. "Nikki Nack" sees Merrill enlisting producers to help her achieve new heights. Contributions from Malay (Frank Ocean, Alicia Keys, Big Boi) and John Hill (Rihanna, Shakira, M.I.A.) enhance tUnE-yArDs’ signature sound. To announce the album, tUnE-yArDs unveiled the Mega-Mix; snippets of tracks from the album which you can hear at tune-yards.com. A record that could only have been made by its creator, at heart it’s heavy yet still retains a sense of fun. This is explained in part by experiences in between records - like a life-affirming trip to Haiti and finally catching up with 80s kid’s TV programme Pee Wee’s Playhouse some 25 years since first broadcast - proving influential during the songwriting process. Merrill’s upbringing was also at the forefront of her mind in this period, shown by the subtle use of the traditional American music her parents raised her on to help colour the new creation (her dad’s old fiddle too makes an appearance). Experimentation is still key for tUnE-yArDs. Where the loop pedal and the saxophone were main components of the first and second record respectively, it’s the drum that takes centre stage here, augmented by greater use of synth and Nate’s growing prowess as a bassist.
January 19 street date. Tune-Yards’ magnum opus will arrive on January 19, 2018 in the form of new album I can feel you creep into my private life. Thematically, the 12 new songs tackle race, politics, intersectional feminism and environmental prophecies head on. But in the billows of intense subject matter, the album arrives as Tune-Yards’ most immediate and upbeat music yet - this is Tune-Yards’ music to dance to. On I can feel you creep into my private life, Tune-Yards is officially a duo. Garbus is joined by longtime collaborator Nate Brenner who produced and wrote the album together with lyrics by Garbus. Tune-Yards worked with mixer Mikaelin “Blue” BlueSpruce (Solange, Kendrick Lamar). Tune-Yards’ 2014 release Nikki Nack was one of the most well received albums of the year with New York Magazine calling it “possibly the catchiest record of the year.” the New Yorker praised its “joyful energy” and “surprisingly sweet singing and catchy tunes,” and Entertainment Weekly said “life need joyful noise like this.” Since the release of Nikki Nack, Tune-Yards has kept busy collaborating with legendary musicians David Byrne, Laurie Anderson and Yoko Ono, as well as penning the standout track, “Action,” from Mavis Staples’ 2016 album.
January 19 street date. Tune-Yards’ magnum opus will arrive on January 19, 2018 in the form of new album I can feel you creep into my private life. Thematically, the 12 new songs tackle race, politics, intersectional feminism and environmental prophecies head on. But in the billows of intense subject matter, the album arrives as Tune-Yards’ most immediate and upbeat music yet - this is Tune-Yards’ music to dance to. On I can feel you creep into my private life, Tune-Yards is officially a duo. Garbus is joined by longtime collaborator Nate Brenner who produced and wrote the album together with lyrics by Garbus. Tune-Yards worked with mixer Mikaelin “Blue” BlueSpruce (Solange, Kendrick Lamar). Tune-Yards’ 2014 release Nikki Nack was one of the most well received albums of the year with New York Magazine calling it “possibly the catchiest record of the year.” the New Yorker praised its “joyful energy” and “surprisingly sweet singing and catchy tunes,” and Entertainment Weekly said “life need joyful noise like this.” Since the release of Nikki Nack, Tune-Yards has kept busy collaborating with legendary musicians David Byrne, Laurie Anderson and Yoko Ono, as well as penning the standout track, “Action,” from Mavis Staples’ 2016 album.
March 26 street date. Tune-Yards' fifth studio album, "sketchy.", will be available on CD, translucent blue and standard black vinyl On "sketchy." Merrill balances self-inspection and reflection with bombastic rallying cries, reminiscent of the furious tones of early days Tune-Yards. Inspired by the Beastie Boys Book and Questlove's Creative Quest, the result is a colourful and joyous record with lyrics that cut to the bone. "I started remembering that people come to us to be entertained, to move, to feel joy. And together, I think, we can wake up." From 2009 to 2018, Tune-Yards (both Merrill and her partner and collaborator Nate Brenner) released four critically acclaimed albums, travelled the world relentlessly to play live shows, and composed the psychedelic score to Boots Riley's surrealist cinematic masterpiece "Sorry To Bother You".
March 26 street date. Tune-Yards' fifth studio album, "sketchy.", will be available on CD, translucent blue and standard black vinyl On "sketchy." Merrill balances self-inspection and reflection with bombastic rallying cries, reminiscent of the furious tones of early days Tune-Yards. Inspired by the Beastie Boys Book and Questlove's Creative Quest, the result is a colourful and joyous record with lyrics that cut to the bone. "I started remembering that people come to us to be entertained, to move, to feel joy. And together, I think, we can wake up." From 2009 to 2018, Tune-Yards (both Merrill and her partner and collaborator Nate Brenner) released four critically acclaimed albums, travelled the world relentlessly to play live shows, and composed the psychedelic score to Boots Riley's surrealist cinematic masterpiece "Sorry To Bother You".
March 26 street date. Tune-Yards' fifth studio album, "sketchy.", will be available on CD, translucent blue and standard black vinyl On "sketchy." Merrill balances self-inspection and reflection with bombastic rallying cries, reminiscent of the furious tones of early days Tune-Yards. Inspired by the Beastie Boys Book and Questlove's Creative Quest, the result is a colourful and joyous record with lyrics that cut to the bone. "I started remembering that people come to us to be entertained, to move, to feel joy. And together, I think, we can wake up." From 2009 to 2018, Tune-Yards (both Merrill and her partner and collaborator Nate Brenner) released four critically acclaimed albums, travelled the world relentlessly to play live shows, and composed the psychedelic score to Boots Riley's surrealist cinematic masterpiece "Sorry To Bother You".
June 12 street date. RECORD STORE DAY release. Tune-Yards' 2011 breakthrough second album "w h o k i l l" will receive a limited edition pressing on splatter vinyl to celebrate its 10th anniversary on Record Store Day. "w h o k i l l" marks a time when everything came together into one cohesive whole. Recorded in a studio and influenced heavily by her moving from Montreal to Oakland, Merrill Garbus and Nate Brenner made an album that delivered on her early promise. Lyrically Garbus explores constructs of femininity and sexuality with the threat of violence that lurks on the streets where she now lives.
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