Today, Indonesian vocalist, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer, NIKI releases her highly anticipated debut full-length album, MOONCHILD, via 88rising, distributed by 12Tone Music. Listen HERE. A full two years in the making, MOONCHILD is an ambitious concept album that traces NIKI’s own journey while tackling universal themes of identity and empowerment. A sonic allegory, MOONCHILD illuminates the linear path of youthful exploration through three lunar phases: crescent moon (innocence, curiosity, embarking), half-moon/eclipse (loss of hope, disillusionment) and full moon (self-discovery, strength). The album itself offers an exploration, infusing its triptych song structure with eclectic styles – R&B, pop, urban, punk, country – from stripped-down piano ballads to lushly orchestrated anthems.
“The word “Moonchild” came to me when I was going through a phase of staying up at ungodly hours of the night strictly to write music,” explained NIKI when speaking on MOONCHILD. “I realized how much more energized and stimulated I felt at night compared to the day, and I referred to myself as a “child of the moon” because of it. I began imagining an entire, fictional universe in my head. Bringing those stories to life was a rollercoaster! I let go of any and all preconceived notions, rules and limitations I felt bound to and let my creativity take the wheel in any direction. You wouldn’t believe the mental gymnastics I put myself through to get this album to where it is now.”
The ten-song album features collaborators such as producer/writer Jacob Ray, the producer collective Bekon & the Donuts (Kendrick Lamar, SZA), and Montreal producer Pomo (Anderson .Paak, Mac Miller). MOONCHILD includes hit singles “Switchblade”, “Selene”, and “Lose”, as well as new tracks “Wide Open (Foreword)”, “Nightcrawlers”, “Tide”, “Pandemonium”, “Plot Twist”, “If There’s Nothing Left…”, and “Drive On”.
Speaking on her past projects, NIKI said, “My prior works were about love and youth, this album is very much rooted in self. It’s essentially a musical parable about growth, which is fitting because that’s exactly what happened to me whilst making it. It was without a doubt the most challenging project I’ve ever worked on, but I wouldn’t trade the experience for the world!”
TRACKLISTING
- Wide Open (Foreword)
- Switchblade
- Nightcrawlers
- Selene
- Tide
- Pandemonium
- Lose
- Plot Twist
- If There’s Nothing Left…
- Drive On
Stream/download MOONCHILD here.
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