Occasionally, this 'cover all bases' approach lacks focus, but for the most part, Kimbra's invention is a marvel to behold, as her enchanting and swooping jazz-pop tones glide across a veritable feast of sounds, from the hypnotic double basslines and '30s show tune harmonies of 'Good Intent' to the plinky piano hooks and rhythmic R&B grooves of opener 'Settle Down' while a beautifully gothic take on 'Plain Gold Ring' is one of the rare instances of a Nina Simone cover matching the original. Effortlessly flitting from bubblegum pop starlet on the playful old-skool beats and '60s doo wop vocals of 'Cameo Lover' to avant-garde banshee on the melancholic music box-inspired closer, 'The Build Up,' Kimbra's chameleon-like tendencies ensure that predictability is certainly never an issue on any one of its 12 genre-hopping tracks. Buy the album Starting at $13.09Įchoing the experimental nature of recent collaborator Gotye, whose number one single 'Somebody That I Used to Know' she stole the show on, New Zealand songstress Kimbra's debut album, Vows, is a schizophrenic affair that is almost impossible to pigeonhole. I think that's a really special gift.Purchase and download this album in a wide variety of formats depending on your needs. I hope to be an artist who crafts records that fulfill something for people. “Songs In the Key of Life,” is a record that does everything that you want it to do. Stevie Wonder is a master at creating that within pop. I would like to see that more in pop, so I take a lot from that idea of a very dynamic track listing. I love a lot of the way that experimental bands take that attitude. Kimbra: Mars Volta was one of my favorite bands when I was younger and I loved how their records always started with an intense intro. MM: What are the albums that have inspired you to do this? The final song is literally just vocals and it feels like an ultimate statement of directness. I like to think I that I begin to strip away the layers.

It becomes more contemplative toward the end, which most of my records have done. Kimbra: There is definitely an arc to this one. MM: With this new album, do you feel the need to round it out into an emotional arc? They will follow down crazy avenues and, even if they don't like it, they will feel the authenticity about it. You can gain their trust if you really bare yourself, and then you can find a way to lead them wherever you want. But again, I really believe in the emotional connection with the audience. Kimbra: Of course there's expectation, right? They have an idea of who I am and they come to the show thinking I’m going to play certain songs. MM: Do you find yourself battling with your audience's perception of you versus your own perception of yourself?

New kimbra album