Review: tUnE-yArDs – W H O K I L L
tUnE-yArDs – W H O K I L L (2011) [4AD] // Grade: A
BiRd-BrAiNs, the 2009 debut of Merrill Garbus’s tUnE-YaRdS project introduced an artist for whom creative boundaries seemed to not exist. Using only a handheld recorder, Garbus showcased a voice that was far from ordinary. But as with any artist whose creativity guides them towards the fringe, you had to wonder, will tUnE-YaRdS always exist on the outskirts? Released through 4AD, sophomore LP W H O K I L L answers that question with spectacular confidence.
Parallels to Ariel Pink are abundant. Artist with a history of lo-fi, experimental music reappears with a tightly focused album that uses pop structure to reinvent their sound. But Garbus has something Ariel Pink does not—a one in a million fluid voice that can boom powerful then fall to sweetness, that can improvise on the spot and sounds effortless. And it’s this captivating range that carries W H O K I L L.
The experimental nature of BiRd-BrAiNs remains felt across an album covered in rock/pop songwriting. “Bizness” is created almost entirely out of Garbus’s voice. Looped vocal pit-er-pat ripples through the background. Over the top, a steady snare joins Garbus as she blasts a chorus of “Don’t take my life away. / Don’t take my life away.” “Powa” is a chill-inducing stunner. Vocals glide syrupy between powerful classic rock notes. Confidence exudes from every breath. “Gangsta” ties the album’s songwriting together with experimental rock percussion, and one big thunderous pop hook: “What’s a boy to do if he’ll never be a gangster?”
Merrill Garbus will always make music for the freaks and weirdos. But with W H O K I L L she descends her fortress on the outskirts, a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
