NIKI was on the precipice of something, but she wasn’t sure what. Thus, Buzz was born in efforts to figure it out. NIKI’s fourth album, released in August 2024, is the product of deep introspection – a bouquet of folk-rock and soul-stirring, honest lyrics.
From opening for Halsey on tour across Asia as a teen to being 88rising’s first female signee and amassing over three billion streams worldwide, NIKI’s life to date has been nonstop – but she’s working on embracing “intensity, expansion, freedom and acceptance,” as she tells Ticketmaster in a new interview.
On Buzz, NIKI eloquently contextualizes her present with lessons of the past. Over the course of 13 tracks, she loosens her tight grip on the reins, relinquishing control in order to learn to go with the flow.
Ticketmaster caught up with NIKI to chat about her new album and tour, which hits North America and Europe this fall.
Congratulations on your new album! How are you feeling now that it’s out in the world?
Thank you so much. It’s very exciting to have something I’ve worked on for so long be available for everyone to listen to!
“Too Much Of A Good Thing” was the first taste of Buzz, followed by “Blue Moon.” What do you hope fans take away from those songs?
One of the themes I was exploring throughout this record is energy on the precipice of something about to happen. “Too Much Of A Good Thing” and “Blue Moon” both contrast and complement each other in this way. There’s an energy in both tracks – an electric tension of something new or the whirlwind realization that a long term relationship is reaching its end.
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Similarly, how does “Tsunami” weave into Buzz’s narrative?
In that same theme, “Tsunami” explores that feeling of being on the precipice of falling headfirst for someone and the waves of emotions that brings.
Now that Buzz is out, what have been some of your favorite fan reactions/responses so far?
It’s been so heartwarming to see fans relate to and receive the tracks so well. Releasing such personal tracks remind me that all our experiences in life are so connected. What I went through six months ago could be what some fans are experiencing right now, so it’s very beautiful to be interconnected through music.
Which new song(s) have you been most excited to debut live on tour?
All of them! I feel that each track takes on a new personality when performed live.
It seems like writing music has been a way for you to reclaim and reinvent yourself. With Moonchild, you explored different phases of your life via the moon phases, then returned to some of your old unreleased music with Nicole. How does Buzz fit into this journey?
Buzz feels the most true to who I am and where I am now as an artist. This record is about navigating my twenties, learning and accepting that there are no right answers in life. My twenties have been a rollercoaster to navigate, and I think many people who have grown up listening to me are also in their early to mid-twenties and have gone through similar milestones.
It’s so important to be kind to yourself when you learn that more often than not, you don’t have the answers. Doing your best counts. Just make the answers up as you go along! That’s what Buzz is about. Intensity, expansion, freedom and acceptance.
You’ve always had very striking visuals to pair with your music. Can you share some of the inspiration for Buzz’s visuals?
Thank you very much, that’s so kind! I like to draw my visual inspiration directly from my lyrics. That is always the jumping-off point – I wanted the videos for Buzz to match how the songs feel rather than a connected storyline the way Nicole’s visuals were.
You’re currently on a world tour. What can fans expect from a live NIKI show?
I’m always thinking about how the fans will experience this music live, and this tour reflects that for sure! Buzz was created with the intention of touring and playing it live so I’m so excited for fans to experience the live production and instrumentation of these songs. I really value authenticity on the stage and that it’ll feel like a big party where we’re all hanging out together.
What are the tell-tale signs that you’ve played a really good show?
That adrenaline rush and electric buzz, no pun intended, when the show ends!
Finally, what is giving you joy right now? It can be music-related or not!
Hanging out with the band in our tour bus after we finish a show – we like to watch a movie or karaoke together.