Nyaaringu

"Nyaaringu" (translated to "What Happened" in the Pitjantjatjara language) is the debut album by Australian singer-songwriter Miiesha. It was released digitally on May 29th, 2020, and physically on August 28th, 2020.

Background
The album was nominated for Album of the Year at the National Indigenous Music Awards 2020 and Miiesha won the Nimas new talent award.

After the album was released physically in August 2020, it peaked at 28 on the ARIA Top 50 albums.

Theme
Speaking about the album, Miiesha said "Nyaaringu is a collection of stories that I feel I wanted to tell or that I needed to speak on. For me it represents my journey and where I'm at now coming from Woorabinda. The interludes in the collection are recordings of my Grandmother speaking. For me she was and always will stay with me as the strongest voice in my life, so I felt she had to be a part of this with me."

Describing the album on Apple Music, Miiesha stated “I think for we who have been trodden on, not given a lot of freedom, you gotta believe in yourself and you gotta say you’re no man's property, you're your own,” her grandmother says over the crackle of a fire. It’s a powerful message that cuts through to the heart of Nyaaringu, an ambitious 13-song journey by the Pitjantjatjara woman from the small Indigenous community of Woorabinda in rural Queensland. The title means “What happened” in Pitjantjatjara, signaling the album’s reflection on the centuries of pain and displacement experienced within her community. In startling detail, Miiesha depicts the misrepresentation of her community in the media (“Hold Strong”) and the racialized romanticization of survival (“Black Privilege”), while she calls for education over incarceration on “Blood Cells.” Armed with an unrelenting presence, Miiesha’s nimble, silky voice is capable of critical inquisition over R&B balladry. And together with producer IAMMXO, she brings as much power to somber requiems (“Drowning”) as to ecstatic gospel (“Self Care”). What’s presented throughout Nyaaringu is rich and complex, underscored by Miiesha’s thesis: There are so many ways to show up in the world as an Indigenous woman.

Critical reception
Ali Shutler from NME said "Nyaaringu [is] a fearless debut album that weaves a story about the Indigenous experience", calling it "A soulful R&B record whose tales of discrimination, empowerment and freedom bear relevance well beyond Australia's borders." The Music AU called the album "thematically and communally, powerful." Both sources rated the album 4 out of 5 stars.

Tyler Jenke from ToneDeaf said "Arguably one of the strongest debuts in recent memory, and one of the most fitting records to be released during Reconciliation Week, Nyaaringu sees Miiesha Young sharing her story in the way only she can, with a dazzling blend of smooth soulful vocals serving as a statement of self-belief." Geordie Gray from ToneDeaf called Nyaaringu "essential listening", saying "Miiesha deftly weaves stories of community, survival and inherited knowledge. A pivotal masterpiece and an ode to resilience. A heartbreakingly timely debut."

Laura English from Music Feeds called the album "absolutely stunning but the collection of songs goes deeper, exploring the themes of cultural identity and community."

Al Newstead from Triple J said "Miiesha's debut release is one every Australian should hear... Weaving intensely personal and honest storytelling with the kind of warm production SZA or Solange would kill for, Miiesha captures the complexity of the individual Indigenous experience through universally appealing songs."

Simon Winkler from Stack Magazine said the album "...draws upon gospel, R&B, hip hop, soul and spoken word poetry to create something unique, universal and profoundly personal."

Trivia

 * The interludes were spoken by Miiesha's grandmother, Elizabeth.
 * Oddly, the album is considered an extended play on Spotify.
 * The longest song on the album is "Drowning" at 3 minutes and 51 seconds, while the shortest song is "Interlude (Self Care)" at 48 seconds.
 * The shortest song that is not a voice recording is "Tjitji" at 1 minute and 27 seconds.

Spotify
