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.
There's an energy and atmosphere to w h o k i l l which seems to just pour off the record.
With whokill, Merrill Garbus has somehow managed to encompass more ideas into just over 40 minutes than most artists manage in a lifetime.
This album demands your open-minded attention on its own terms, and it ends up teaching you how to listen to it in a new way.
It’s a massive improvement from her last album, yet it never sacrifices any of her style.
The music benefits from the increased professionalism, but Garbus has not abandoned her lo-fi aesthetic.
w h o k i l l is probably the most inviting album you'll hear this year.
Though the album now comes with studio polish and masterful songwriting, W H O K I L L still feels like an underground tape, challenging the listeners with oddball melodic choices.
Whokill’s sonic imagination outlasts the novelty of Tune-Yards’ debut, and even better, its lyrical persona is as playfully warped as the rhythms punching away behind it.
The songs are more consistent ... flashing a certain lyrical swagger, careening from terrific sex to celebratory violence to uncomfortable cultural realities.
Garbus might be more known right now as a magnetic performer, but w h o k i l l proves she's just as beguiling on record.
Whereas the musical and lyrical boldness of her 2009 debut, Bird-Brains, was a little muted by her homespun recording techniques, here every fragmenting note and confrontational idea is exhilaratingly crisp.
With a crisper, clearer production that helps it to stand out, w h o k i l l is, almost literally speaking, tUnE-yArDs’ breakthrough.
w h o k i l l is an album indulgent in eccentricity, compelling in its variety, and downright impossible to not enjoy.
Thanks to @mrmerle for this recommendation.
If there's one thing I love when it comes to music is when artists are able to take different elements from different genres and play about with them to deliver something fresh & fun.
W H O K I L L is mainly an Alternative album with slices of Afro-influenced beats, left-field sounds, Folk, and some calming Lo-Fi aesthetics.
There's so much charm to find in just these 10 tracks. Throughout these 40mins there is a strong wholesome vibe that ... read more
I sat on Tune-Yards' "w h o k i l l" for too long.
I can finally certify that this album is insane. I've been hooked instantly by how catchy and creative the first three songs are and this catchiness does come back from time to time at other points -"Bizness", "You Yes You", "Killa"-. The album is also competent when it comes to pacing by allowing some moments of breath with slower songs making the experience far from dull and redundant.
Merrill Garbus ... read more
Can I take "Albums I Wasn't Expecting to Like" for 1000?
genuinely what even is this, it's a full mess of an album. however, i find myself attracted to w h o k i l l's atmosphere. "Es-so" is just disjointed, fully on purpose. on "Bizness", Garbus puts her vocals in the "out there" category, and yet with the smooth valley of the additional vocals, she shines. "You Yes You" has this instrumental break at 0:54 that would not easily fit in any ... read more
really good album.. love it, love the band. .saw them live in tavastia in helsinki. stood motionless the whole time but still enjoyed it. merrill lokked itat mite. i saw her..... staring. well.. i mean.. yeah great album. hmmm like. yeah. human.. no sry business is really good and all the others too
1 | My Country 3:40 | 79 |
2 | Es-so 3:29 | 78 |
3 | Gangsta 3:58 | 93 |
4 | Powa 5:03 | 80 |
5 | Riotriot 4:13 | 78 |
6 | Bizness 4:23 | 87 |
7 | Doorstep 4:16 | 78 |
8 | You Yes You 3:33 | 80 |
9 | Wooly Wolly Gong 6:06 | 80 |
10 | Killa 3:12 | 83 |
#1 | / | Pazz and Jop |
#2 | / | No Ripcord |
#2 | / | Pretty Much Amazing |
#4 | / | musicOMH |
#4 | / | Paste |
#4 | / | PopMatters |
#6 | / | Prefix |
#6 | / | Slant |
#6 | / | TIME |
#7 | / | Cokemachineglow |