Kimbra - Sweet Relief

It's new, it's fresh but in the same breath; it's familiar and nostalgic. It's funky and it's all Kimbra.... without a doubt you know it's her. You know she's a mastermind and you know that she's insanely talented and it's crazy to think that she's not a freaking superstar. She challenges conventions and she does things by her own rules. She makes the music she wants to hear and it's poppy and funky and creative and all the things you want the music to be. I dig Kimbra. Have for a very long time and love to see her grow and continue pursuing music as she feels she should.

Joshu Ra - Sweet Dreams That I Used To Know

Sometimes a mash up comes along that is breathtaking in it's simplicity. There's nothing fancy or overworked about this. It's Gotye and Kimbra over Beyonce's Sweet Dreams but it works amazingly. I would be hard pressed to find something as equally elegant as this is. I don't want to waste too many words on this, just listen to it and see if you're as amazed as I was.

Mark Foster, A-Trak , and Kimbra - Warrior

Total Luchador Madness all up in this bitch!!

The video for Converse's latest "3 Artist 1 Song" entry is for the song "Warrior" by Mark Foster, A-Trak and Kimbra.  Now, while Mark Foster is really only on the chorus, can you not hear Foster the People all through the track.  It would totally fit on Torches without even trying hard.  I am not familiar with A-Trak but I am going to be and can you not just totally fall in love with Kimbra each and every time she opens her mouth.  I have so much love for her it's not funny.  Amazing track and a super cool video.  I kind of hate that its an advertisement for Converse shoes and Journeys but it could be worse and after all we get a freaking killer song out of it.

Kimbra - Vows

"We'll call her Nebraska

Nebraska Jones

She'll have your nose

Just so you know"

I never wanted children before now, but I have to have a child named Nebraska Jones now and I can thank Kimbra for that.  How cool is that verse.  I think that it says so much about Kimbra's debut album, Vows. The lyrics are clever and full of charm all the way through.  I realize I am slow at getting to this album, but apparently it took me a bit to get around to her.  I was first introduced to New Zealand based, Kimbra Johnson months ago when a friend showed me the video for "Cameo Lover" but I just let other music get in front of her.

You have to be careful of listening to just single tracks off this album because you can get easily fooled.  It's not a situation where you've been hit with the old bait and switch but you have to realize that this whole album is like a giant sampler platter that showcases her range beautifully.  Every song is punctuated by her gorgeous voice but the ease and grace she jumps from genre to genre is almost mind boggling.  For someone that is so young to have the control she has over her instrument is incredible.  She has been compared to Bjork, Florence Welch and Nina Simone and it is very easy to see how those comparisons can be made.  This album is a treat because it's one that you can start at track one and play all the way through without skipping a song, yes it's that good.  For me all the tracks are strong, but I think "Settle Down", "Good Intent", are stand out tracks with the rest falling very close behind them.  There isn't a bad track and each song seems so carefully crafted to give the listener something new around each corner.  "Cameo Lover" is a mix between a modern R & B song smashed together, beautifully I might add, with a song from the Motown Era.  Make sure you listen closely to "Call Me" because she samples "Electric Relaxation" by A Tribe Called Quest.  Bravo, my dear! Well played.

I am going to compare this album, in scope and concept, to The Arch-Android by Janelle Monae.  Much like Janelle's album, it is far reaching and broad but it never over extends itself.  It knows when to take itself seriously and when to take a step back and let it's hair down.  I honestly think that this album is easily one of the best I have heard in a long time because it touches every part of my senses, from smoky, sultry jazz to pop and everything in between and because of that I leave feeling satisfied.  The American version of the Settle Down EP is now available and I think we are going to be hearing a lot more from Miss Kimbra.  She has only just begun and with collaborations with groups like Miami Horror and Goyte, she is on the way up. Catch her now before she is a mega superstar and you will not be disappointed.