A Barrow popstar has bounced back from near-paralysis to release her third album.
Originally from Seattle but now based in Barrow, Niko brings a more dance and electro feel to her Electric Union album, which offers thick beats, gritty synth bass and layers of abstract keyboards.
It was recorded with Barrow-based producer Aim.
“I set out to make a record that made me want to dance in the club, chill in the lounge and go for a late-night cruise in the car, all at the same time. Also, I’ve always wanted to release an album on splatter vinyl so I’m happy I’ve ticked all of those boxes,” said Niko, real name Nicole Vergel De Dios.
Electric Union nearly didn’t happen. In 2019 multiple accidents from roller derby, falling off horses and standing on her head at yoga left Niko pretty much paralysed and it became apparent that neck and spine surgery was required.
Niko was told to prepare for the fact that not only might she not walk again but she might never sing again. The surgery was a complete success and after some well-earned rest and relaxation, she got back to work.
The album was produced and mixed by Aim at his own Speed Limit Studios facility where he also chipped in with songwriting.
“I loved working on this record. The initial production brief was to make it DJ-friendly and synth-heavy and as soon as I heard the first few songs I knew Niko was onto something. We spent the next two or three years holed up in the studio with no deadline to worry about, slowly but surely refining and chipping away until we were done,” said Aim.
Tracklisting:
Side A
1. If I Could Be Your Love
2. The Palace Discotheque
3. Someone To Lean On
4. I Love TV
Side B
1. Don’t Call On Me
2. You Used To Have Her
3. Electric Union
4. Saturn
5. Those From The Heavens Come
Born in Seattle in the USA, Niko spent a chilled-out childhood watching The Fresh Prince, listening to jazz and 90s power pop and singing in gospel choirs. After high school she relocated to New York on a music scholarship to study jazz at the prestigious New School of Music and The Thelonious Monk Institute, spending the next decade soaking up the sights and sounds of the city and discovering an affinity for deep house and electronic music along the way.
Her first original compositions were written and recorded for a PBS television documentary soundtrack, a demo copy of which found its way to Manchester, where she signed to Grand Central Records and released her debut album Life on Earth.
In 2005 she left GC to create ATIC Records with producer Aim (Cold Water Music, Hinterland) and the two continued to work closely together with Niko lending vocals to his Flight 602 and The Habit Of A Lifetime (And How To Kick It) LPs, whilst fronting the ten-piece Aim live band that smashed Glastonbury and sold out Shepherds Bush Empire.
Niko recently released: “The Palace Discotheque”, the second single from Niko’s forthcoming new album ‘Electric Union’. Upping the tempo and getting all ‘electronic’ the track is built on a foundation of pulsing bass and LinnDrum-ish beats with layers of intricate micro melodies and synthetic vocals.
“Playing shows and clubbing in New York was an experience but it was often the journey home where things got really interesting. The streets and trains had an electric energy but it could also feel edgy at times, you had to be on your toes,” said Niko.
Electric Union is released on ATIC Records on October 22.
