Kimbra - Vows

Tue 11th Oct, 2011 in Music Reviews

As recently as 2009, Australia adopted Ladyhawke and awarded the Kiwi singer a couple of ARIAs in the process. Two years on, it appears New Zealand has let another songstress slip through the cracks. Kimbra, currently residing in Melbourne, appears destined to achieve her own acclaim down under, her debut album emerging a restless tour de force.

Settle Down kicks things off, a chaotic choir drifting into earshot, buidling towards a plucky chorus with a faint touch of Bollywood influence in tow. Meanwhile, The ecstatic electro-pop parade of Cameo Lover maintains an impeccable melodic expertise, an intricate groove igniting sheer effervescent fanfare. “Open up your heart!” Kimbra pleads with urgency throughout the euphoric pop gem, its crescendo recharging for another magic chorus.

Among Vows’ most commendable qualities is its diversity. Each track emerges a novelty with a wholly unique charm. With the likes of the quaint, tambourine-shaking Two Way Street, the breezy 80s throw-back Old Flame and the mischievous tango of Good Intent – there’s no clear way to pigeonhole Kimbra’s craft. In fact, Call Me in particular – a spot of bombastic funk brimming with an assertive brass section – effortlessly reinvents Kimbra’s image all over again. Essentially, Vows thrives upon a shape-shifting demeanor from the outset, as Kimba’s clever pop-inclined prowess proves continually enthralling, irrespective of its landscape.

It’s Kimbra’s own charismatic contributions that go a long way in imbuing Vows with personalty too. An enduring penchant for spontaneous harmonic swells and lofty vocal gymnastics each prove disarming, as Kimbra shows her wares as a naturally gifted vocalist. Vows, a striking, beautiful circus of a record demands a ringmaster of sorts to keep things grounded and Kimbra fills the role perfectly, engaging the listener through the records constant metamorphosis.

Vows truly steps up to the plate as a bubbly and enjoyable body of work, one bound to cater to those who care to be kept on their toes. There’s a little something for everyone, the record emerging a veritable pick-and-mix without the expense of quality. Whichever way you look at it, Kimbra looks set to melt hearts with Vows, a consistently entertaining and enchanting debut album.