NIKI has mastered the art of making dreamy pop music with an edge. Her latest body of work, Moonchild, follows the Indonesian singer and multi-instrumentalist through several stages of life. The album begins in crescent moon, which signifies innocence and curiosity. It then transitions into half-moon, representing loss of innocence and disillusionment, before ending in full moon, or self-discovery and strength.

NIKI explained that the album title came to her while she was up late at night making music. “I realized how much more energized and stimulated I felt at night compared to the day, and I referred to myself as a ‘child of the moon’ because of it,” she said. “I began imagining an entire, fictional universe in my head. Bringing those stories to life was a rollercoaster! I let go of any and all preconceived notions, rules and limitations I felt bound to and let my creativity take the wheel in any direction.”

Moonchild begins with track Wide Open, a moody tribute to the grittiness of female youth. NIKI hits her stride, however, in her half-moon phase. It’s there that her wispy voice and textured tracks come together to create a truly splendid atmosphere. By the time Moonchild settles into its final phase, and NIKI’s story-arch has reached its satisfying conclusion, folksy track Drive On will have solidified NIKI in the new pop milieu.