VOWS comes weeks after Kimbra spent five weeks at number one in the UK charts as guest vocalist on Gotye’s infectious Somebody That I Used To Know, but this album is a different beast entirely.
Opening with Settle Down, with lyrics which could be the polar opposite to Destiny’s Child’s Independent Women, Kimbra’s jazzy vocal skills and talent with a loop are thrust front and centre. A mixture of post-2000 Kylie, Nelly Furtado, and Goldfrapp, there’s a heavy synthesiser presence, which also brings an 80s feel to proceedings, particularly on Old Flame, while further looping skills are shown on her simple but brilliant cover of Nina Simone’s Plain Gold Ring.
With songs like Posse promoting independence and monogomy, there are a few mixed messages, but the music is eminently listenable, and the New Zealander’s vocals are strong and different enough to encourage numerous listens.
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