Rating: 5 out of 5
Just when you thought Kiwi music couldn’t get any better, a striking 21-year old born in Hamilton breaks out on the international music scene after years of being hidden away in Melbourne spent nurturing and developing her musical talent.
The sound:
Vows is Kimbra’s debut album and what an incredible introduction it is; this upcoming songstress has an impressive vocal range and demonstrates it’s soulful capabilities well across the diverse tracks. She shifts effortlessly between funk, jazz, disco and pop, and even though each track has it’s own flavour, she merges the genres in a way that has established her own unique sound. The record took Kimbra three and a half years to craft while she concentrated on her musical development and growth; which already showcases remarkable maturity for someone so early into her music career.
The tracks:
As for the standout tracks, the opener Settle Down is a vocally layered treat; her standalone ‘boom boom boom bah’ percussive opening will hook you within the first five seconds and as the song builds you’ll begin to see why Kimbra’s the name on everyone’s lips. Later, the playful Good Intent ventures into latin beat territory, luring you in like a lounge singer and giving you a good telling off in the same breath.
The verdict:
Her look, her sound, and her thoughtful lyrics are a breath of fresh air amidst the ever-present looming shadow of manufactured pop. We love Kimbra and reckon she’s set to take the world by storm, keep an eye out for her in the future!
For more info on Kimbra, visit her official site at www.kimbramusic.com.
Photo / Supplied