Press

• Fame Magazine

  Fame Magazine recommends : ‘Hate & Love’ by Niko (the operating name of beautiful Nicole Vergel de Dios), opens up her musical journey through pop, electronica, electro-acoustic and experimental composition ‘Hate & Love’ is an impressive and intense album by the Seattle born siren, with her personal, poetic lyrics and meticulously crafted melodies. Throughout the album, Niko’s voice is laid bare and pure. Her amazing ability to articulate emotions with pop/soul/electro gems, makes this album a joyous discovery.

• Pop CulturZ

  Seattle-born singer, Niko has released her second album, ‘Hate & Love’ via Atic Records. The ten-track, 41-minute release sees Niko (real name, Nicole Vergel De Dios) bring a collection of electronica, pop and some break-beat touches with the help of producer Andy Turner (aka Aim). Aim’s influence can certainly be heard on the up-tempo, feel-good break-beat using, ‘The Daddy Remix’ while, elsewhere, Niko brings some 80s electro synth-styling with ‘Arigato Mr Robotica’ and some dance-influenced breaks on, ‘A Life In Dreams.’ However, the up-beat tracks are far from the be-all and end-all of this fine release, as Niko channels the likes of Bjork and Kate Bush for some more ethereal electronica moments, such as ‘Over You’ and ‘The Blight Of Old.’ Lyrically-speaking, Niko’s release shifts between positive and negative emotional moments, as the title track suggests. Niko has an impressive ability to maintain her lyrical personality regardless of the topic or back-drop, making this album very much her own. However, where there are guests, they simply serve to compliment Niko’s vocals. However, this album is far from just about the vocals, as the production is sublime throughout. As a co-producer of the well-crafted melodies, Niko should certainly be applauded for her ear as much as for her lyrical prowess. At times delicate, and at others, more forthright, Niko’s ‘Hate & Love’ is certainly worth investigating for fans of electronica and also straight-up pop alike. With some fine break-beat touches added to the mix, this album has an appeal that transcends genre-lines, and as such is one to check out. However, with the high-quality production, adaptable vocal touches and mature feel, this album should certainly please a great variety of listeners.

• Bang Tidy

  As you should be aware by now, we love to keep an eye out for artists who we feel have a great talent, especially those who have a flair when it comes to lyricism. And that, my dear friends, is what Niko is all about. Full name Nicole Vergel de Dios, this girl really knows how to emote every feeling under the sun. Combine that with a beautiful soothing voice, and you have a formula that gets you the official status Bang Tidy. Well done darling. Keep an eye out for album ‘Hate & Love‘ which will be released July 23. That is going to be some epic journey. Trust us.

• Ringmaster Review

  With a heightened anticipation inspired by the recent release of the excellent single You’re So Boring, sitting down with the new album from Seattle artist Niko came with a sense of something special was about to happen. The single had marked the heart with its infectious and highly charged emotion but would the album follow it up to the same satisfaction. What emerged was a release which across its length was wonderfully unpredictable and enjoyable if at times variable, but more than once reached the same irresistible pleasure as on the single. Nicole Vergel de Dios grew up destined to make and breathe music, her multi-cultural heritage sowing seeds and her life growing up surrounded and inspired by great sounds through her parents record collection to ignite her passion. She spent her days and years performing, singing in choirs, and learning the piano. Music was her obsession and love, something which is apparent in every aspect of her album and evident in every word and sound. 2004 saw the release of her acclaimed debut album Life on Earth where she started working with producer Andy Turner, aka Aim. The following year Niko and Aim began their own imprint ATIC Records the move opening up their creative freedom and control. Hate & Love has been four intense years in the making with the artist said to have taken a huge artisticnce her debut release. Whilst the two singles from it, The Daddy Remix and previously mentioned You’re So Boring, make the suggestion that the claim is accurate the album easily confirms the fact. The release is a warmly infectious yet shadowed collection of songs in distinct and varied guises. Carefully structured and adventurous the release leaves one in no doubt of the time and effort gone into every aspect of the album. The album immediately opens to wrong foot the senses. The Blight Of Old is deeply atmospheric with an abstract breath and surreal essence which equally sparkles and grates especially vocally where Niko seems to be searching for either notes beyond her or those not yet invented. The song is a grower but never achieves a peace with the ear or senses. It is a very surprising start and maybe a teasing test from the lady for our thoughts and expectations but does not damage the keenness to explore more. The brilliant You’re So Boring soon has things back in the world of contagion, the song a provocative and emotive release of pent up emotions and renewed energy. With a delicious spiky bassline and glorious harmonies to ignite all passions the track is the most compulsive and catchy example of a woman scorned put to music. The song is one which comes to you any time of the day and night its hold complete from the first introduction and sure to have you singing or humming out loud and at any time, not great when in a mosh pit but needs must. The following A Life In Dreams ensures the close connection between heart and album is continued with its caressing electronic warmth and heaven borne melodies. It is a dazzling piece of electro pop, a mesmeric weave to immerse deeply within as Niko serenades with her distinct and sirenesque voice. The song completes three tracks which show the eclectic and diverse songwriting and imagination of album and artist which the likes of the exquisite hypnotic title track and the eager electro pop fuelled I Can’t Get Enough readily emphasize. Both songs are stunning showers of golden electronic suns and shining atmospheric grace, the latter of the two bringing an increased urgency and feisty air to its summer spawn heart. The sensational So Famous is another hypnotic treat with its relentless niggling guitar spine and scuzzy edged electric breath and as the album continues more enterprise appears in the shapes of Tiger Balm and Arigato My Roboto. The first is a song which glides ambient textures and breezy atmospheres whilst the second recalls the golden age of disco, and is much better than that sounds. The Daddy Remix ensures one more glorious moment, its vibrant pulse and featured hip hop guests QNC making it an irresistible and fully infectious piece of unique ear candy whilst the closing Over You is a magical heart delivered and emotional prize from the special voice and songwriting of Niko. Hate & Love arguably did not quite live up to initial expectations but then they were incredibly high. It is though an impressive and expressive collection of songs which follow their own admirable rules to leave one very satisfied. Ringmaster 20/06/2012

• Glasswerk National

  Hate & Love isn't just an album, or perhaps to be more precise, it doesn't appear to be just one album. In fact it is very hard to tell if Niko is afflicted by the modern music world's fickle nature or if she will thrive because of it. Whilst half the album seems to present her as an Icelandic based cocktail with equal measures of Bjork and Sigur Ros (with perhaps a splash of Zero 7 for flavour) producing lush, ethereal music that eases the senses like a lullaby, the other half takes cues from a number of other disparate sources. Recent single, You're So Boring is indie with a twist of Santigold, The Daddy Remix is an old-skool hip-hop head nodder with guest rappers and I Can't Get Enough Of You sounds like Goldfrapp tailor making a track for Kylie. And just the same way that the album is fractured, I myself am torn between whether this proves to be a strength or a weakness. The schizophrenic nature of the music's very own identity crisis keeps the listening experience fresh, yet it never seems to be cohesive and work as a whole. Perhaps Niko could have released two, more consistent, EPs from these 10 tracks to showcase her diversity, or perhaps Niko is the perfect pop star for the Shuffle generation.

• 24/7 Magazine

  "Back when people bought records, one of my favourite labels was Grand Central (ask your parents!) and one of their biggest artists was the mighty Aim. Near the end of their reign, they started to release amazing music by Niko, an artist who pretty much had everything - good looks, great songs and an amazing voice. This is her second album, backed as ever by Aim, who produces some bang-on hip-hop and soulful cuts. My heart lifted when I saw this, like when the sun breaks through a day of dark clouds. This album is everything I'd hoped for, if you like discovering people who deserve a bigger audience then this is for you - and every one of your Facebook friends."

• The Crack

  "While some punters may be drawn by the promise of a new Aim production job (the album is released through his label and he produces most of the tracks), this is very much Niko's enterprise. Aim's production is, as we might expect superior, though Niko's voice shines through as the main attraction here. And what a voice. As at ease with jazzy vocal gymnastics as she is with plaintive balladeering, Niko is ready to roll."

• Music Muso

  "We've been long-time admirers of Niko here at MusicMuso, and with this second album, she should certainly be making a few others sit up and take notice as well. The ghostly opening track 'The Blight Of old' is ambient, almost spooky in it's minimalism, and is a great prelude to the first track 'proper', the single 'You're So Boring', which moves along at a cracking pace with it's feedback drenched guitar solo and strident pop melody. The title track has a lovely trip-hop feel to it with hints of techno duo Orbital, moving back to the slightly languid but never boring opening of the LP. 'So Famous', a sort of alternative pop gem, reminds me of classic 90's groups like St Etienne and Dubstar. To compare Niko to ther bands and singers is certainly not to say she's lazy, as she definitely has a sound all her own. Rather, it is positive feedback that, despite this only being her 2nd album, she's exuding such a quality already. As a whole it's hard to offer any constructive criticism as each track evokes it's own sense of wonder. Niko's gorgeous mix of pop, electronica and haunting melodies is definitely one carrot you should strain yourself to get hold of.

About

Niko was born and raised in Seattle, Washington. Half Japanese, Spanish, Norweigen, German and Philipino, her parent’s record collection was as rich as their heritage and from a very young age she was obsessed with music. She spent hours at the piano every day, sang in gospel choirs and staged musical theatre perfomances in her backyard. By the age of 16 she was singing at jazz festivals across America with her prize winning High School Band.

After winning a scholarship to attend New York's prestigious New School and Thelonious Monk Institute, Niko had the opportunity to sing with jazz legends like Herbie Hancock and Reggie Workman by day, and to absorb the lights, sights and sounds of the city at night. She lent vocals to a number of deep house records on Francois K's Wave Records and was soon writing and recording her own material including the soundtrack for a PBS television documentary highlighting the plight of the homeless in NYC. In time her music made it's way to the UK where she was snapped up by Manchester’s Grand Central Records. In 2004, following collaborations with Mr. Scruff and Only Child, Niko released her debut album 'Life on Earth' which featured her first work with producer Aim (creator of 1999's seminal 'Cold Water Music').

In 2005, Niko and Aim left Grand Central to create their own imprint - ATIC Records - which allowed them total artistic and creative freedom, along with control over how future material would be presented. They released critically acclaimed albums by Death of the Neighbourhood (Stephen Jones), Crowhead, Gripper and The Witch And The Robot whilst working closely together on their own music. Niko lent vocals and keyboard chops to Aim’s 'Flight 602' album and fronted his ten piece live band on sold out tours across the UK. In 2008 she started work on her second album 'Hate & Love', which was written, recorded and produced with Aim at his Speed Limit Studios.

Since moving to the UK, Niko has taken on a number of new musical influences including the electro-pop sensibilities of Stereolab and Gary Numan, the harmonies of The Beach Boys and the string soaked splendour of Sigur Ros, echoes of which can be heard throughout 'Hate & Love'. And whilst the depth and scale of the album's sound and ambition is impressive, most striking is the beautifully crafted songwriting with its heart-string tugging melodies and stark, almost raw lyrical honesty. We feel that Niko has taken a huge artistic leap forward with 'Hate & Love'.

Preceded by two singles, 'The Daddy Remix', a heavy-weight, Aim produced bomb featuring NYC hip-hop legends Q-Ball and Curt Cazal), and 'You're So Boring', an energetic indie-pop stomper with tuff beats and squelchy synths, layers of live instrumentation and aggressive lo-fi vocals, 'Hate & Love' is OUT NOW on ATIC Records.