If you don’t already know of her impressive solo outings, you may recall the female singer who featured on the globally successful Gotye hit, “Somebody That I Used To Know”. With a phonebook filled with names from Rihanna and John Legend to Blondie and Muse, Kimbra builds some of the most magical music around.
During her career Kimbra has worked with superstar vocalist John Legend, world famous producer Kanye West, Thundercat and Muse affiliates Rich Costey and Matt Bellamy to name a few. As a writer, in between her own projects she has also provided songs for top flight pop acts like Rihanna, Ariana Grande and more.
Kimbra’s last album The Golden Echo was an electrifying collection of contemporary prog-rock, but on 2018’s Primal Heart we hear less psychedelia. The fog has yet to clear fully, but with this more mature approach comes a heavier dose of future-funk, neo-soul and R&B. Primal Heart lives up to its title, with its boldness becoming apparent instantly. Kimbra’s strangely familiar voice is one that confronts, relentlessly daring to be unique. Her recognisable vocals are indeed back with a bang, sounding as courageous as ever.
The album was co-produced by John Congleton, who has some major clients (Blondie, Goldfrapp). Kimbra’s fearless attitude is reciprocated by Congleton, who says that the aim for the project was to produce something stripped-back and raw. There are slices of friendly Los Angeles electro-pop here and there, but the City Of Angels’ easygoing, positive energy is fading. Instead her recent new home of New York has inspired a grittier, colder, tougher musical backdrop. Kimbra originally hails from Hamilton, New Zealand but has also spent time living in Melbourne, Australia. Some of the demos on the album were produced by Kimbra in her home studio, they are then transformed with the help of Congleton. The outcome is a soulful hybrid of industrial, electronic, dance-pop, where the vocals never lose their importance.
“Top Of The World” channels the rap madness of Kendrick Lamar, as well as the soothing tones of Jessie Ware. The track’s construction is as genius and varied as the vocals, dipping in and out of heavy distorted stabs and gooey vocal pads. Kimbra steals the show early on, with tons of confidence, each section is presented brilliantly. “Everybody Knows” on the other hand is a stark contrast, Congleton arming himself with a softer arsenal of synths. The songwriting here is top class, ticking all of the boxes for an instantly memorable hit. “Human” is one that leans towards R&B, fans of FKA Twigs will have this on repeat. Production wise there are some nostalgic 90’s stabs, but the drum track brings everything up to present day.
Kimbra is an artist who takes pride in avoiding trends, instead trusting her instincts to stay true to herself. This album reflects her skill for maintaining relevance, without resorting to flavour-of-the-month tactics. Kimbra has said that the album is a response to the current volatile nature of our political climate, but the weight of the subject matter fails to overshadow the music.
Why not come and hear it for yourself at your local Richer Sounds today, on some of our over-ear headphones or an incredible hi-fi system?
