Album Review: Kimbra, Vows

Photo credit: Aimee Han

14 September 2011

by Poppy Reid

At just 21, Kimbra is well on her way to achieving a level of success that may well rival her influences.

Propelling her way into commercial consciousness with cameos on Miami Horror’s I Look To You and the more recent Gotye chart topping single, Somebody That I Used To Know, the New Zealand export couldn’t have dreamed up a better introduction into the public sphere.

Now, it’s Kimbra’s turn to step into the limelight and reap the fruits of three and a half years of love labouring; while that ubiquitous single experiences its fifth week at the top spot, her first long player, Vows has debuted at #5.

Produced by two polarising producers in Francoise Tetaz and M-Phazes, their healthy injection of indie-pop and R ‘n’ B is driven by underlying orchestral and jazz leanings; this experimental undercurrent will paint Kimbra as a genre-hybrid. Tracks like breakthrough single Settle Down (with its soulful funk and power-pop hook), the Prince homage Call Me and the blatant tribute to Nina Simone on cover song Plain Gold Ring, prove the young maven could lend her vocals to any style. It would come as no surprise if her next collaboration was with an artist like Lil Wayne or even Amity Affliction; those guffawing at this suggestion should hear the record in full before passing judgement.
With each track, Kimbra’s intent is clear: to revolt against the pigeonhole reflex of media and defy categorisation, whilst still paying tribute to her eclectic influences.

Kimbra encompasses much of the same stylistic maturity and perennial poise of those who have shaped her; it’s fair to say she is on the right track to becoming another of Australia's proudest adopted darlings.