N.Y.C.K Walk Us Through Their Sophomore Album, ‘United Places’

N.Y.C.K., the acclaimed indie duo composed of Nick Acquroff and Dominique Garrard, have just released their second album, United Places. This seven-track collection is a heartfelt journey through moody soundscapes, blending aching piano ballads with rich, layered compositions. The album’s standout single, New South Wales, captures the essence of summer road trips and the nostalgia of staying in motels along Australia’s east coast. N.Y.C.K. crafted United Places with an innovative approach, incorporating samples from their favorite records and ambient sounds from everyday life. Collaborating with producer Jack Grace and contributors Hayden Calnin and Olivia Gavrinach, the duo has created an album filled with evocative storytelling and lush symphonies. To celebrate the release N.Y.C.K gives us a track by track walkthrough of the album.

United Places – Track by Track

Cult

The album started with schism. A haiku that wouldn’t go away. A piano that was split in two halves. One light, one dark. One double time, one half. I knew I should be writing actual songs but this one stayed. We added to it together over the months. Never expecting much. And it never became forced or bent into shape. A feeling we grew used to when making the album.

United Places

I met Sam at a park and we ate pasta from a handwritten menu next to the gardens. We walked in and out of the swales and trees. Drank fizzy red wine in a closed bar with the owners.

We walked home past a beautiful hotel – United Places. Her daughter, now mine, was asleep in her little bed with a dummy in her mouth and sweat on her hairline. I was in love with them both.

We were lucky to have this beautiful Music written by Jack Grace and Dom Garrard.

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Love

In many ways, Love was the start of something new for NYCK. We started producing our own music during the first album, but had never been brave enough to take it all the way. Nick & Dom’s back room demos had always had these locked down drum samples. Loops that repeated forever, building suspense. And then it all exploded into life with love. It’s angry, raw, full of tension, and then spills over into a joyous and full chorus that lets all of that tension go in a heartbeat.

Weightless

Originally called Whales, because it was written overlooking the beach in a place called Point Lonsdale. Nick and I rented this epic Airbnb that was way too expensive and we were so determined to write a song. I think the football was on in the background and some ideas started floating. The whole song is mostly jibberish, but we loved the feeling and delivery of it so much. We took it to the amazing Jack Grace and he made it even better and more catchy. People seem to gravitate to this track, the melody and feel is perfection and it can be played in all different settings.

Cinematic

My parents have always been the most kind and generous people. Neither one of them has ever said a word to me that was intentionally meant to cause me any pain. They have always been an open book. I know exactly who they are. They never pretended to be perfect. They are floored, and themselves. Now that I’ve had my kids I admire them so much. Every day I think about the way they just accepted and set me free. Because of this, they have become friends as I’ve gotten older. And this is about becoming friends with your parents and everything that goes with it.

Forest Fire

Written with Hayden Calnin, St South

Some years you can’t go backwards or forwards. You’re stuck. Grief. Despair. Sadness.

This song is about one of those years – and the process of burning off all the old parts of yourself – the dead wood – so that you can grow again.

United Places is available now, everywhere.