Review: NIKI – MOONCHILD

What’s up y’all. Sorry for the lax last week; here’s today's review:

NIKI is an alternative and pop singer-songwriter signed under the 88rising label that houses some of the most talented phenoms in America that came from Asia. 88rsing has undoubtedly been one of the most standout record labels in the modern era, extending the bridge of musical expression between the East and the West. NIKI is the label’s primary female artist that has exponentially risen on the charts thanks to 88rising’s uplifting environment (artists with bigger names like Joji and Rich Brian often shoutout lesser-known artists on the label or collaborate with them). This debut is an extremely monumental event in NIKI’s career as she clearly establishes a completely different presence than before. The sheer effort put into the production of this album along with her progression in more experimental techniques in pop melodies genuinely surprised me. She starts with a forward that is ominously intriguing and theatrical (as if a performance art piece is supposed to go with it). The strings are extravagant and crisp, while NIKI’s voice is inviting the listener into what seems to be a three-part experience. Here is my track-by-track analysis:

Switchblade – The song starts with rhythmic clicking and beeping noises that are the foundation for the whole beat. NIKI compares her faith to a switchblade, cutting through winds that want to change it. Her switchblade faith symbolizes courage in life.

Nightcrawlers – A playful sample is included in this instrumental, leading the way to her description of her “land.” She really showcases her rap skills here, which is continued from Switchblade. The sentiment of this song is much more conventionally Pop; it is about living in the moment as a nightcrawler, going to parties and such.

Selene – The groovy bass is so welcoming, plunging the listener into a great R&B attempt by NIKI. Slightly sexual lyrics along with common love lyrics sprinkle nicely onto this track; I love the gradual inclusion of guitar and different horns.

*Tide – This is clearly the start of the second section of the album as the introduction of this song is super creepy and dark. She continues to heavily impress me with her harsh experimentation almost sounding like Pop-turned-Metal-artist Poppy at points.

Pandemonium – Pandemonium ironically settles this chapter down. In the calmness of her vocals and the dreamy production, she compares the pandemonium to the ocean. “Dying out in slow motion.” She raps more here, as well.

Lose – To end the second third of the album, NIKI seems to create a piano solo song. She starts by recounting heartbreak and continues with predictable negative lyrics about relationships. However, her vocals and the strings are fantastic.

Plot Twist – The last section of the album begins with a jumpy instrumental, contrasting heavily with the previous song. The contrast continues as she talks about someone she loves being the plot twist in her life, and how thankful she is for that person.

If There’s Nothing Left… - Placement of this song makes it feel like filler; We have already heard the strings and lush vocals; A gimmicky autotune is used at times, too.

Drive On – Honestly, a disappointing concluding track that makes me crave a lot more from this album. Simple, blissful track with some cool effects.

Generally, this is a thoughtful and well-executed freshman album by NIKI. Since her beginnings of online posts of her music, she has always shown great vocal range and capabilities. Watching her progress through countless singles and her EP Zephyr showed her great trajectory that she was on. Now, she embraces her inner artistry a lot more than before as she experiments more than expected with 88rising’s help of pushing grandiose production (seen in Rich Brian’s The Sailor and Joji’s recent singles). At times NIKI sounds as abrasive as Poppy from the pop-metal scene and at other times she is rapping as if she was a veteran in that genre. MOONCHILD also showcases good story-telling and lyrical usage; however, the third section of the album wanes in effort and spirit. Nonetheless, she shows that she is ready to be one of the next big artists in Pop with this holistic experience of an album.

Favorite Track: Tide

Least Favorites: If There’s Nothing Left and Drive On

Score: 7.6