Kimbra Lee Johnson, or just 'Kimbra', is easily the best and most versatile artists of the 2011/2012 scene. With the August 2011 release of her premier album “Vows” (International Version), she has taken the indie pop charts by storm that's gathering momentum in the U.S. by a roaring Perez Hilton enthused SXSW 2012 tour and the June 2012 release of "Vows" (US Version). Not bad for this New Zealand 22-year-old. Though skating on the coattails of Gotye’s 8X Australian platinum single “Somebody That I Used To Know” in 2011 certainly doesn’t hurt either. However much I hate the synth-overload that has exploded to make the 2010’s the LEAST promising era in music for those of us who actually want to hear artists’ real voices, I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised when I researched some live footage of this girl belting away and sounding, dare I say, better than she does mastered. Plus, this girl has mad style and unparalleled stage presence.
Kimbra live on Jimmy Kimmel
"Vows" offers something for everyone. Pop-laden melodies that will stay stuck in the form of “Settle Down” & “Cameo Lover”. For the vintage enthusiast, her jazz background is showcased most heavily in “Good Intent” and a cover of Nina Simone’s “Plain Gold Ring”. Personally, Kimbra had me at “Call Me”, in what seems like an unexpected, and undeniably R&B track. Every song is threaded seamlessly within this whimsical jazz nouveau album. It maintains momentum with layer atop layer of Kimbra’s own breathy coos. It takes you colorfully into every little girls’ fantasy courtship and engages the drawbacks of such commitments in “The Build Up”, “Withdraw”, and my album favorite “ Wanderings Limbs”.
Live 2011 "Sideshow Alley " Performance of "Wandering Limbs"
The best thing about Kimbra is that she can address such serious subjects without being too heavy. Her approachable, quirky style is just plain fun and she’s got to have some seriously good art direction behind her videos to compliment her larger-than-life voice. “Vows” offers a breath of fresh soul with each distinct track deeper and more alluring than the one before.
