Merill Garbus, the tUnE-yArDs mastermind, makes music in a world of its own. Garbusville (lol, just a goofy name I thought to call her world, lol) is a world where ramshackle African rhythms, gnarly basslines and soulful, dynamic vocals are fused for an at times jarring, at times sweet sound. But, whether it’s discordant, harmonious, or both, tUnE-yArDs’ music is almost always compelling.
“Water Fountain,” the first single off forthcoming album Nikki Nack, finds tUnE-yArDs at fullll throttle. Garbus has one of the most unique, powerful voices in music today (think female Dave Longstreth) and she makes full use of it on the track, jumping everywhere from a gentle croon to soulful yelp.
While “Water Fountain” is probably not tUnE-yArDs strongest single to date, it’s still a fun listen. Where previous tUnE-yArDs songs used dissonance as an advantage, to amplify powerful bits or provide counterpoint to Garbus’ sweeter melodies, “Water Fountain” nearly overdoes the dissonance. The spastic track flows from section to section, while Garbus laments, “No water in the water fountain, no phone in the phone booth.” It may not be a tUnE-yArDs classic, but “Water Fountain” shows Garbus experimenting with new sounds (more synths and drum machines than usual) and of course the new album will probably be great.
UPDATE: The second Nikki Nack single, “Wait for a Minute,” just dropped and it’s awesome.
Nikki Nack is out May 6 on 4AD.