NIKI’s “Nicole” Unites Young WOC
(Photo taken by Aliana Liz Tavares on October 1st, 2022 during the Nicole Tour show at UMass Amherst)
Niki released her second studio album “Nicole”, on August 12 2022, which tells the story of her early development during her high school and college years to her fans. Traveling to the U.S. for college, from her home in Indonesia, gave way to the many experiences she speaks on in this project. On “Nicole”, Niki offers detailed storytelling that many young women can relate to–in matters of love, finding and crafting one’s identity, and welcoming what’s next to come in one’s journey.
The album’s singles, “Before” and “High School In Jakarta” are rich in lyrics that describe her relationships with friends and a boyfriend that she seemed to be on and off with during those years–finally closing a chapter in “Oceans & Engines” with the lyrics:
“It's come to a close
I marked the end with this last song I wrote
I'm letting go
This is the last falsetto
I'll ever sing to you
My great lost love”
The album calms listeners with its more natural acoustic sound including lots of strings, piano and even a classic violin opening on her song “Anaheim”. One of the only fast-paced songs on the album, “Keeping Tabs”, highlights electronic sounds, distorted vocals, and pop-rock elements to convey what it’s like to hope for a better situation with someone who is bad for you. Niki’s soft vocals show her skill and range in conjunction with her careful breathwork while telling her stories packed with emotion—this is clear on “The Apartment We Won’t Share” where she thinks about the future she could've had with her ex. The overall cozy sound and intimate lyrics make listeners feel closer to her–like as if we are talking to a friend. Her lyrical themes of finding your place and developing confidence make her relatable, especially to young women of color navigating situations and systems that feel and that usually are stacked against them.
I was lucky enough to attend her performance at UMass Amherst during her Nicole Tour last October. Her vocals live are true to what you hear on the studio version of the album. The unique and eclectic stage design featured warm, industrial lighting cluttered all around the stage. While performing, Niki stood on a jewel toned bohemian style rug, making her audience feel as if they were hanging out with her in a small, homey apartment.
She added a personal touch to this college stop by singing her 2021 single “Split”, where her sentimental lyrics describe feeling homesick to a slow drum and jazz sound.
“Nicole” contrasts with her 2020 album MOONCHILD, which features a heavy pop sound with some musical theater influences on songs like “Wide Open” and “Tide”. There’s a large range of production on MOONCHILD, with multiple songs switching into a surprising second half. This is true for “Nightcrawlers” which starts out pop-trap; fast snare taps take listeners on a journey through her fantasy land filled with underdogs until we reach the end, where Niki stands in her power with distorted vocals and dark trap percussion. The ballads on the album include “Pandemonium” and “Lose”, which talk about going through rough patches, barely staying afloat and staying in toxic relationships longer than she should.
Like MOONCHILD, I wish “Nicole” had more pop sounds and lyrics that catch you on wordplay, as I feel they are true to her as an artist and her older projects. Her first studio album took more risks and catered to a wide range of listeners. To fully enjoy her latest project, I think you would need to be a longtime fan of hers, as this album mostly focuses on sentimental lyrics rather than interesting and punchy instrumentals and production. Overall, whether you are entering or exiting your twenties as a young woman, Nicole provides a sense of nostalgia that encourages listeners to reminisce over their past, and move on with excitement to their next chapters.
