NIKI's third studio album, Buzz, is the manifestation of a seismic shift within the artist herself. The project began with an urgent jolt from deep within, channeling the raw, intimate songwriting she's known for. Buzz echoes with the hard-won wisdom of a young woman chasing her dreams, all while maintaining a sense of humor when she stumbles along the way.

As NIKI herself explains, "The album is called Buzz because it signifies that something is about to happen. The promise of something new, when it isn’t real yet, hangs rich and sweet in the air. That millisecond moment in time, suspended in vast suggestion, where there is every opportunity for a shift in trajectory. Small or seismic. You choose." This anticipation and potential for change permeate the album, filling it with a sense of urgency and excitement.

Maybe the single, "Blue Moon" best encapsulates the bittersweet essence of Buzz. Co-produced with Ethan Gruska, the song explores the complexities of a relationship marred by poor timing. NIKI likens the tumultuous affair to "the cruelest cyclone," questioning whether it was doomed from the start, a feeling many of us can relate to. The song crescendos with strings that rise and fall like waves, underscoring the emotional peak of the chorus. Written during the 2023 Nicole World Tour, "Blue Moon" emerged from the aftermath of a four-year relationship that faltered due to misaligned expectations and perhaps even astrological misfortune. In writing "Blue Moon," NIKI drew inspiration from The Wizard Of Oz, envisioning a chaotic cyclone that throws everything into disarray. This cinematic imagery is brought to life in the accompanying music video, directed by Ivana Bobic. Like another single "Too Much Of A Good Thing," "Blue Moon" features NIKI on drums, guitar, and piano. The song is taken even further by the heart-wrenching string arrangements of Rob Moose, a multi-instrumentalist known for his work with Bon Iver, The National, and St. Vincent.

With Buzz, NIKI brings listeners into a world where the promise of change looms large if we’re not afraid to accept it, and every note is infused with the potential for transformation. It's an album that captures her journey so far and growth, and gives us a glimpse into the moments that shape us all. As you digest the album, be aware that in the buzzing uncertainty of life's possibilities, there lies an opportunity to redefine ourselves and our paths.