Their debut album BiRd-BrAiNs was first released on limited edition vinyl and cassette in June 2009, via the Portland-based imprint Marriage Records. In July 2009, it was announced that tUnE-yArDs had signed to 4AD, and a limited edition pressing of BiRd-BrAiNs was released on August 17, 2009.
A full worldwide release followed on November 16, 2009 (and November 17th in North America). The autumn 2009 pressing was remastered at Abbey Road Studios by Christian Wright, and includes two new bonus tracks: "Want Me To" and "Real Live Flesh."
BiRd-BrAiNs was entirely self-produced and recorded, with Garbus utilizing a hand-held digital voice recorder, ukulele, some noisy off-balance drums, and produced using shareware mixing software. Garbus described their sound as "a patchwork of sound snippets, of history in a present tense. It is a composer's commitment to the preservation of stories, however small and unassuming."
A second album w h o k i l l was released on April 19, 2011, preceded by the single "Bizness". It was produced by Garbus and engineered by Eli Crews at New, Improved Studios in Oakland, California. Comparing the act to Sonic Youth, Frontier Psychiatrist said, "if BiRd-BrAiNs was Garbus’ EVOL, a record bursting with musical ideas that attempted to subvert the notion of song, w h o k i l l is their Sister, a record that embraces the traditional pop song as a vehicle to convey those ideas." The song "Fiya" is featured on a 2010 commercial for the Blackberry Torch.
Killa
Tune-Yards Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I think about the world is right, and even if you can't deny
Then something that will suit me
I'm a new kind of woman, I'm a new kind of woman
I'm a don't take shit from kind of woman so
Buckle up cause we gonna move fast
Traveling through… we gotta get past
Hear a scream, hear a sound in the dark of the night
But right or wrong I'm a new kind of killer
Right or wrong we are, we are killers
Can't you give me something that will keep
I think about the world is right, and even if you can't deny
Then something that will suit me
I'm a new kind of woman, I'm a new kind of woman
Run around the clock a new kind of woman so
Buckle up cause I'm gonna come quick
All my violence is here in the sound
Singing in … for the ship to go down
Ready or not I'm a new kind of killer
Can't you give me something that will keep
I think about the world is right, and even if you can't deny
Then something that will suit me
Would call me even if this day, I did now have one friends
I cannot take it, I'm so hit I tried to style, tried to steal…
Even see the … just be yourself
I'm a new kind of woman, you're a new kind of man
Come come come get ma as quick as you can
The danger is coming is coming on strong
Take my hand and we'll all sing along
Can't you give me something that will keep …
I think about the world is right, and even if you can't deny
Then something that will suit me
Watch me more, watch me more
Watch me more, watch me more
Watch me more, watch me more.
The song “Killa” by tUnE-yArDs speaks to the feeling of being a new kind of woman who doesn’t take any nonsense, and is prepared to take on the world with a vengeance. The lyrics are a call to action, with the singer asking for something that will keep her going, something that will suit her, even if the world is not always fair. She is promising to move fast and get things done, to bucke up and get ready to face whatever challenges come her way.
The chorus repeats the plea for something that will keep her going, and then we hear about the violence that is present within her, contained within the sound of her voice. She calls herself a new kind of killer, ready to meet the challenges of the world head-on. The bridge continues with this theme of violence and danger, and the idea that even if she had no friends, she would be able to take on whatever comes her way. The song ends with a call to action, asking the listener to watch and join in as she sets off on this new path.
Line by Line Meaning
Can't you give me something that will keep
I need something to occupy my mind and distract me from unpleasant thoughts.
I think about the world is right, and even if you can't deny
I have thoughts about the state of the world, and even if you disagree with me, I still hold these thoughts.
Then something that will suit me
I need something that caters to my tastes and preferences.
I'm a new kind of woman, I'm a new kind of woman
I'm a woman who doesn't fit into traditional gender roles, and I'm carving a new path for myself.
I'm a don't take shit from kind of woman so
I don't tolerate mistreatment or disrespect from anyone.
Buckle up cause we gonna move fast
Get ready for a fast-paced, exciting ride.
Traveling through… we gotta get past
We're going through a journey, and we need to overcome obstacles to reach our destination.
Buckle up and buckle up tight
Hold on tight and prepare yourself for a wild ride.
Hear a scream, hear a sound in the dark of the night
There are scary things out there, and you need to be prepared for them.
But right or wrong I'm a new kind of killer
I'm someone who's determined to succeed, regardless of whether it's morally right or wrong.
Right or wrong we are, we are killers
We're all capable of doing whatever it takes to succeed, even if it's not always the right thing to do.
Run around the clock a new kind of woman so
I'm always on the go and never stop moving forward, no matter what obstacles are in my way.
Buckle up cause I'm gonna come quick
Hold on tight, because I'm coming in fast and strong.
All my violence is here in the sound
My aggression and drive to succeed is evident in the music I create and the energy I bring.
Singing in … for the ship to go down
I'm calling out for people to join me, even if it means going down with a sinking ship.
Ready or not I'm a new kind of killer
I'm ready to take on anything and everything in my way, even if it means being ruthless.
Would call me even if this day, I did now have one friends
I'm so confident in my abilities that people would still seek me out, even if I had no friends to vouch for me.
I cannot take it, I'm so hit I tried to style, tried to steal…
I'm feeling overwhelmed and have tried to change my appearance or steal someone else's identity to fit in.
Even see the … just be yourself
I'm reminding myself and others to stay true to themselves, even when it's difficult or uncomfortable.
You're a new kind of man
You're someone who doesn't fit into traditional gender roles and is forging your own path.
Come come come get ma as quick as you can
Hurry up and come get me, because we have places to be and things to accomplish.
The danger is coming is coming on strong
There are threats and obstacles on the horizon, and we need to prepare ourselves for them.
Take my hand and we'll all sing along
Let's face these challenges together and find strength in camaraderie.
Watch me more, watch me more
Pay attention to me and my actions, because I'm not someone to be underestimated or overlooked.
Watch me more, watch me more
I'm so confident in myself and my abilities that I want people to keep watching and taking note of what I do.
Watch me more, watch me more.
I'm a force to be reckoned with, and I want people to see and acknowledge that.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Merrill Martin Garbus, Nathaniel J Brenner
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind