Earworms: Real Thing

Tune-Yards (stylized as tUnE-yArDs, but that just doesn’t roll too easily off the typing fingers), the project of artist Merrill Garbus, is one of the most interesting bands going. Her percussive rhythms are interesting and challenging, with tinges of African influences throughout. But most importantly, Garbus is one of the bravest songwriters out there, unafraid of controversial material – her lyrics tackle racism, violence, climate change and more. Yet the heavy content is lifted by the melodic, sing-song nature of her music. She also brings a visual artist’s style to her videos and, just as her songs blend serious lyricism with lilting melodies and toe-tapping rhythm, her videos are thoughtful and whimsical visual experiences.

Here’s the latest earworm burrowed in my brain, Real Thing from the album Nikki-Nack: