Vows x Kimbra // Album of the Week

A couple of weeks ago I stumbled upon Kimbra’s music video “Settle Down”. It was a little strange and creppy but the music was bangin — and although marriage and children are not really my style (HA!), I loved it.

After watching that video on repeat for several days, and finding out Kimbra sings the female vocals on Gotye’s “Somebody That I Used To Know”, I sprung for the album. And it was absolutely worth the $10 or whatever I spent on it.

She’s not one of those artists whose songs all sound they same. In fact, her album is just plain interesting to listen to. Kimbra changes up the rhythyms, the instruments and sounds, and even the way she uses the human voice.

It’s pop, but with a lot of electronic influences and real soul. And the girl has a helluva voice. Kimbra’s found an incredibly delicate balance of image, edginess, straight likability, and good music — and manages to do it without being ridiculous (take notes, Ke$ha and Katy Perry).

My favorite song is still “Settle Down”. But she has a few other gems. In “Plain Gold Ring” she really gets into her lower range and does it well. Kimbra could’ve been a sultry jazz singer in the days of Sarah Vaughan and Billie Holiday. She gest bluesy in “Withdraw” and “Cameo Lover” is now in my workout playlist.