Kimbra - Album review: Primal Heart
Kimbra's Primal
Heart is a fascinating album of many disparate parts. In some ways it’s more a
producer’s album than a singer’s, featuring texture and complex production as
the artist explores the varied expressions of her undeniable and prodigious
talent.
The crisp, tight, and layered opening track, The Good War, is reminiscent of Lorde but by track two Kimbra is firmly asserting her individuality.
Nothing about this album is predicitable or formulaic which makes it captivating from start to finish. At times its big, insistent sound begs for a large sound system and the windows thrown open. It’s for dancing, sharing, and shouting from the rooftops.
At other times it’s intimate and stripped back. For me, that is when it’s at its strongest. Past Love, Right Direction and Version of Me were my personal favourites with Kimbra’s fantastic vocals to the fore but with just enough edge and unease to keep you on notice that your full attention is required.
Version of Me in particular is an absolutely stunning track. Don’t let the gentle piano intro fool you as the dark, unsettling production never lets this track fall into complacency. The lyrics are also on point as they express the promises often made by lovers. “Next time I’ll be kinder with you. There’s just this habit that I have. Throw my words around like fire. They catch on your good heart and your piece of mind...There’s a better version of me. Stay for the person I will be.”
Primal Heart is an exploration rather than a cohesive whole with a singular or overarching voice. But the places it takes its listener to are compelling, intriguing and never dull.
★★★★ (4 stars)
Review written by Jacquie Walters
About Kimbra
This is just the latest chapter in a series of Kimbra’s overall career success: the experimental pop performer’s 2011 debut, Vows, bowed at No. 14 on the Billboard Top 200 and was certified platinum in Australia and New Zealand. She received Best Female Artist two years in a row at the ARIA Music Awards and took home 5 New Zealand Tui Awards including Album of The Year in 2012. That same year, she exploded into the public consciousness with Somebody That I Used To Know, a duet with Gotye that earned her two Grammy Awards for 'Record of the Year' and 'Best Pop Duo/Group Performance', as well as reaching No. 1 on global charts (across 18 countries) and selling more than 13 million copies.
Her 2014 sophomore record, The Golden Echo, highlighted her eclectic style with a diverse set of collaborations from Thundercat, Omar-Rodriguez Lopez of The Mars Volta, Bilal, and John Legend. Likewise, her third LP, 2018’s Primal Heart, saw her touring with the likes of Beck, Odesza and David Byrne. Kimbra has performed on TV shows such as Saturday Night Live, Jimmy Kimmel Live, Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Last Call with Carson Daly, Late Show with David Letterman and Late Night with Seth Meyers, as well as performing at festivals such as Coachella, Austin City Limits and more.
Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Kimbra
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