By Celine Nghiem
R&B singer NIKI has been a rising star in recent years due to songs such as “Indigo,” whose popularity exploded on the app Tik Tok, and “lowkey,” which was called the “Summer’s Favorite Hookup Anthem” by Vice Magazine. With the recent release of her album “Moonchild,” she solidifies her status as a talented songwriter.
NIKI opens with “Wide Open (Foreword),” which sets the tone for the rest of the album with its dreamy instrumentals and heavy lyrics. In it, she advises a little girl against the dangers of the world. She then lightens the mood with “Switchblade,” a heavily-synthesized song about her arrival at a new and unfamiliar place. The lyrics convey a sense of optimism and curiosity, and make a perfect main track for the album.
The music then takes a turn with the unsettling “Nightcrawlers.” The song begins with a soft, cheerful beat as NIKI describes her “live in the moment” lifestyle. However, the vocals and melody become distorted as she begins warning the listener to trust no one. The song manages to be dissonant and bizarre without sounding unpleasant. NIKI once again changes the mood with “Selene,” a jazzy, retro-style bop about wanting to dance with someone. Although the guitar and beat are reminiscent of a Dua Lipa song, her vocals add their own unique twist.
The next three songs are sadder. “Tide” follows the same bizarre, distorted style as “Nightcrawlers” and carries a similar theme of distrust. “Pandemonium” is a slow, forlorn song about depression in teens and young adults, while “Lose” is an emotional ballad about a toxic relationship. Together, this trio of songs provides a break from the more upbeat songs in “Moonchild” and allow NIKI to truly explore some of the darker themes running through her album.
“Plot Twist” and “If There’s Nothing Left…” both describe her love for someone. The former praises an unknown lover as the best surprise of her life, while the latter talks about how even if she has nothing else, she has him. Both songs are emotionally charged, but where “Plot Twist” conveys the joys of a relationship, “If There’s Nothing Left…” evokes a sense of determination to survive alongside this lover despite the trials and tribulations of the world.
The album closes with “Drive On,” a relaxed, down-tempo song that feels like the conclusion to the story of “Moonchild.” NIKI makes references to other songs in the album, such as “Switchblade” and “Tide,” and describes coming out of a battle on top and moving on from the conflict. She expresses her hope that her audience continues to learn and grow, and she asks them to keep moving forward in their lives.
Overall, the album is diverse and fun to listen to, with a good variety of musical styles from glitchy pop to piano ballads. Some of the music sounds very experimental, and although some of the songs, such as “Nightcrawlers,” may be a bit uncomfortable to the listener’s ears, NIKI manages to pull off this new style. “Moonchild” is a creative, edgy album and a must for fans of R&B.
