Introduucing…Kimbra!

by Bradley Stern
filed under: Introduucing..., Kimbra, Regina Spektor, Róisín Murphy, St. Vincent

Kimbra Vows1 Introduucing...Kimbra!

This is Kimbra, a 20-year-old singer from New Zealand. According to my calculations, this makes Kimbra a kiwi.

“Settle Down” is the debut single from the debut album of Kimbra, Vows. It is about commitment (“Won’t you settle down with me?” “Won’t you have a child with me?”), sung with plenty of hand claps and plenty of silly mouth sounds.

Combine 70% of the look and 30% of the sound of St. Vincent, a bit of Regina Spektor, and the quirk-pop of Róisín Murphy‘s first album, and there you have it–the Kimbra sound. Sort of.

Most impressive of all is the gorgeous accompanying video, which you can watch above.

While there are many, many things to love here–the mannequin man, the glamorous ’60′s plastic sheen a la Mad Men–it is, without a doubt, the jaunty choreographed dance with the twins straight out of The Shining performed in front of the shelves of burning dolls that really seals the deal for me here.

Like all good things, it’s a little weird. Basically, here’s hoping she goes the way of Róisín–first banging out some weird, organic tracks, and then diving headfirst into unapologetic, next level disco.

I expect good things.

pixel Introduucing...Kimbra!

  • http://www.itsthemoneyshot.com JJS III

    I didn’t expect to like this. But then I did.

  • carlos

    I don’t like Róisín at all, she sounds like she needs more production but didn’t have the money to do so.
    But this girl is amazing.

  • memo.alive

    Read a little bit of the review and then went straight ahead to the video, OMFG!!! IT’S ESTHERO’S VOICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Only with the quirkyness and mix of sounds of Róisín’s first record… ahh..mazing!!!

  • Faisal Jehan

    Check out “I Look To You” on http://www.miamihorror.com – she sings on that track. <3

  • http://Iwanttosettledown Skot.fri@ia.org.au

    What a great song, love the rhythm & production too.

  • http://muckguppy.blogspot.com muckguppy

    Ahh so good to see some Kimbra love, I remember linking this to muumuse a while back. Looks like the seeds are comin’ up strong!

  • Maggie

    I just love Kimbra . Shes so new and fresh , and her voice is so unique. great style

  • http://www.wordsoneverything.blogspot.com/ G

    I think her song is not about commitment, but is rather a parody of the outdated institution of marriage, women’s place within this institution and conservative ideals which still fail to be frowned upon to this day. The line about having a child and naming it “Nebraska Jones, It’ll have your nose” seems to me to be a clear dig at a ‘traditional’ marriage – only reinforced by the video.

  • Kura Beer

    Up and coming KIWI..go for it Love the quirkyness of the music …good luck

  • george rav

    brilliant… quirky yes, but brilliant. reminds me a lot of french artist Camille Dalmais not as much vocally but in style. very well produced, hats off to Francois Tetaz and M-Phazes… great clip too. she is something to behold! cant wait to see what is next