tUnE-YarDs Do Fallon with The Roots

Again proving Merrill Garbus is queen of indie rock. Whokill is a contender for album of the year, and it's out now, get it. Dig the Stark live review from a few weeks back here.

Tune-Yards - Bizness by snipelondon

Live Wrap-Up: tUnE-yArDs at Pier 54

From beat one, the face painted, feather clad Merrill Garbus co-opted the crowd at New York’s Pier 54 last night, forming a sort of afro-urban tribe moving wildly below a fat full moon. Sticking largely to tracks from her March release w h o k i l l, Garbus made it apparent that she’s far more than one of the many tourists dabbling in the current afro-pop trend.

If you only read her bio, it’d be easy to mistake tUnE-yArDs for another quick burning Pitchfork buzz band blending layered sounds over poly-rhythms and dance beats. But it’s Garbus’ chameleon of a voice takes it to another level. Whether yowling like a tribal call from an Amadou and Mariam track, crooning ala Nina Simone or spitting rhyms, there’s no question who is the boss (of everyone) when she’s at the mic.

With the crowd in perpetual motion, Garbus also showed her growing experience level, holding just enough head room to kick the energy up one more level. This was no where more apparent than during her current single “Bizness.” After layering in her improvised marimba (made of beer bottles) and vocal riffage, the audience bought in for the four-minute ride, savoring the anticipation provided by the culminating drop out.  Even the crusty “seen it all, heard it all” NYC sound guy jumped.  It was that good.

Tune-Yards - Bizness by snipelondon

New Video: "Bizness"

[mp3] TuneYards "Bizness"

New tUnE-YaRdS: "Doorstep"

[mp3] tUnE-YaRdS: "Bizness"

We think very highly of tUnE-YarDS (aka Merrill Garbus) round these parts, as evidenced by our anticipation surrounding her upcoming album w h o k i l l, and how much we loved new track "Bizness" (after a few listens). Yesterday we got a look at new tune "Doorstep" filmed live in Paris via the website Le-Hiboo.

Just In: New tUnE-yArDs Track - "Bizness"

Dig the first track released from tUnE-yArDs' upcoming album w h o k i l l dropping April 19 on 4AD. "Bizness" does not stray from the highly world-influenced, avant-garde stylings that made Merill Garbus' BiRd-BrAiNs so unique. This will take you a few listens, but if you can make it through the shrills, is ultimately worth it.

tUnE-yArDs Announce New Album + Tour Dates

[MP3] tUnE-yArDs - "News"

Merill Garbus (a.k.a tUnE-yArDs) has just announced the release of her sophomore record titled, w h o k i l which drops on April 19 via 4AD.

2009 marked the release of Garbus' debut release, BiRd-BrAiNs, which met mild critical acclaim due to its highly inventive nature, avant garde song constructions and lo-fi recording techniques. Some people may not get tUnE-yArDs after the first listen or even after multiple listens -- it is not for the faint of heart or the average music consumer. No, tUnE-yArDs is for the season veteran and her debut record garnered the respect and admiration of a truly passionate music collective. We expect great things from her newest release!

US and Canadian tour dates after the jump!