Kimbra - 90s Music

New Zealand's other reigning superstar has returned to the scene with the wacky and experimental "90s Music".  The song, which may or may not be the lead single from her upcoming sophomore album, debuted a little over a week ago and it's definitely been turning some heads.  The track moves away from the sound of Vows, which often leaned towards a pop-oriented direction.  "90s Music" heavily features some deep bass during the verses and there's a recognizable Kimbra sounding chorus.  Taking the title quite literally, she even gives a shout out to a few nineties artists, such as TLC.  Don't go chasing those waterfalls, Kimbra!

Kimbra - Come Into My Head

Okay, this is getting out of control now.  Seriously, 2012 is the year of amazing music videos.  It was crazy enough when David Byrne and St. Vincent were dancing down a black and white street or when Grimes was traveling around in her gang of sword wielding friends, but then out of nowhere, along comes Kimbra.  Actually, it wasn't out of nowhere, as she's been pumping up this release on her twitter for a little while.  Plus, Kimbra isn't exactly a beginner when it comes to videos.  She already has quite a few under her belt and they're often full of quirky and bright imagery.

Her most recent video is for "Come Into My Head", from her debut album Vows.  This one is literally insane. There's a twisted mental hospital setting and spastic dancing.  Check it out...

Kimbra's stellar debut album, Vows, is available now.  You can purchase a copy here.

My Favorite Albums Of 2011: Part 2

It's time for part two of my "Favorite Albums Of 2011" list.  The last post featured ten (plus one bonus) albums that didn't quite make it into my top twenty.  My top twenty is mostly unranked, aside from the final three records.  The way I see it, is there really that big of a difference between my twelfth and eleventh favorite albums of the year?  For that reason, I've kept specific numbers out of the game until three, two, and one.  Let's get into it... 

Penguin Prison - Self Titled

After collecting a variety of Chris Glover's singles and remixes over the past two years, I anticipated this album for months.  Penguin Prison's self-titled debut is one of the most upbeat and fun records I heard all year.  It's pop, but not your usual club bangers.  There's just this sound that he has, and you can hear it on his remixes too.  The "Penguin Prison" sound.  I love it.

Cults - Self Titled

I was initially attracted to this album purely for aesthetic reasons.  While browsing new through some new releases, I stumbled upon Cults' debut.  It just looked like something I would be into.  As randomly predicted, I found it to be an amazing album.  "You Know What I Mean" is the album's centerpiece.  That song perfectly demonstrates Cults' ability to mix the old with the new.

Glasvegas - EUPHORIC /// HEARTBREAK \\\

I feel like the order of songs on EUPHORIC /// HEARTBREAK \\\ could be reversed and you would have a completely different album.  Instead of a decline, the album would progress from the lows of "Change" and "I Feel Wrong (Homosexuality Pt. 1)", finally ending with their anthem of a single, "The World Is Yours".  This record couldn't have a more appropriate name.  It pulls at you with oddly comforting themes of longing and loneliness, but the production is so massive and truly euphoric.

Björk - Biophilia

My feelings on Biophilia are constantly changing.  It seems to have a polarizing effect.  The majority of the album consists of harps, bells, and any other twinkling instrument.  Sure, there are some beat driven moments, such as "Mutual Core".  But for the most part, Björk is howling about her extraterrestrial days of collecting minerals on Venus.  It's a strange concept that had me wondering what goes on in this Icelandic singer's mind.

Girls - Father, Son, Holy Ghost

I'm actually late to the Girls party.  Around the release of Father, Son, Holy Ghost, I also started listening to their debut.  "Lust For Life" is on my regular playlist and I blast it more than one would like to admit.  With that said, they quickly became one of my most listened to acts of 2011.  If I were to make a list that combined the concept of NME's "Cool" list and Barbara Walters' "Most Fascinating People" list, Christopher Owens would most definitely be a headliner.

Kimbra - Vows

After the "Kimbra weekend" feature earlier this year, this singer from New Zealand is a common sight on The Soundtrack Of My Life.  Her debut album hasn't been released in the US yet, but I predict good things for Kimbra when that day arrives.  Vows manages to create a pop sound without giving into any of today's gimmicks or trends.  Add in her jazzy stylings and a vocal range to kill for, and you have an outstanding record.

CSS - La Liberación

After two albums, it finally seems like CSS found an appropriate balance between the danceable sound of their debut and the more rock oriented sound of Donkey.  You may still have trouble taking them seriously, but that's the best part.  Plus, any album with a Mike Garson piano solo automatically gets bonus points in my book.

Feist - Metals

I love "1234" just as much as the next person, but I feel like Feist thrives the most when she slows down the tempo a bit.  She did just that on Metals.  It's still a powerful album, just not in the big band sing-along way.  The closing track, "Get It Wrong, Get It Right", is possibly one of the best songs in her catalog.

Florence + The Machine - Ceremonials

From the first song to the final note, Ceremonials is a bellowing album with enough hooks to satisfy the most restless of listeners.  Florence Welch kept her winning formula of Lungs and expanded it to twice the size.  She sounds like a choir and remains one of the biggest voices in pop music. 

The Black Keys - El Camino

Can we just take a moment to appreciate the genius that is the "Lonely Boy" music video?  If that doesn't convince you to give the album a listen, then I'm not sure what will do the trick.  There are tributes to Led Zeppelin on "Little Black Submarines" and I hear Bowie on "Sister".  I bet you'll never be able to listen to "Lonely Boy" without having a mental image of that dancing man.

Check back soon for the third and final installment including my top three albums of 2011.

Kimbra - Plain Gold Ring

This weekend is all about Kimbra.  Each day, starting Friday and ending today, The Soundtrack Of My Life will feature a different song from her upcoming album, Vows.  

The final song of this weekend's feature is "Plain Gold Ring".  If you start with "Cameo Lover", continue into "Good Intent", and then finish with "Plain Gold Ring", you can hear an evolution of sound.  "Plain Gold Ring" is the grand finale.

The song starts off a cappella, with a smooth misty tone.  If the music somehow forgot to kick in, I wouldn't even notice.  The vocal intro is like a chant from a wise storyteller, captivating.  On Kimbra's previous singles, she sounded confident and sure of herself.  This song is different.  There's a dreary undertone of despair.  "He belonged to someone, but not me - On his hand was a plain gold ring..."

"Plain Gold Ring" carries a similar production style as the rest of Kimbra's work.  The stacked vocal runs and enunciations are present, as well as the organic jazz influenced instruments.

Listen to "Plain Gold Ring"

This is the final day of the Kimbra takeover on The Soundtrack Of My Life.  If you missed them, you can check out day one and day two, along with the first single "Settle Down", for your listening pleasure.  While there's no official release date quite yet, remember to look out for Kimbra's debut album, Vows, later this year.

"Cameo Lover" "Good Intent" "Settle Down"

Kimbra - Good Intent

This weekend is all about Kimbra.  Each day, starting Friday and ending Sunday, The Soundtrack Of My Life will feature a different song from her upcoming album, Vows. 

Today's selection is "Good Intent".  Kimbra switches her game plan with this track.  Imagine a dark and smoky club with a jazz singer playing in front of a swinging band.  It's somewhat vintage and has an alluring vibe that sounds like trouble.

Kimbra's layered vocals create the illusion that she's being backed by a group of singers, complete with matching outfits and swaying dances.  In reality, she just knows how to tackle harmonies to produce a fleshed out sound that fills the room.

Spiraling down a devious line, the chorus' melody gives "Good Intent" an almost sarcastic sound.  Kimbra holds the power with her demanding voice.  This song definitely showcases a different side of her as an artist.  She could pursue a more soulful jazz influenced style just as easily as a pop focused destination.  She seems to have found the perfect middle ground between these genres and it works flawlessly.

Listen to "Good Intent"

Kimbra - Cameo Lover

This weekend is all about Kimbra.  Each day, starting now and ending Sunday, The Soundtrack Of My Life will feature a different song from her upcoming album, Vows.

Today's track is "Cameo Lover", the second single off of Vows.  This single has a chorus that explodes with a pounding beat that calls back to the swaying doo-wop days.  It's a perfect contrast to the poppy bounce of the verses.  The track is in every way just as infectious as "Settle Down".

"Cameo Lover" has elements that you just don't hear enough in modern pop music.  The quivering pizzicato strings in the chorus are beautiful underneath the brassy horns.  The entire production effort sounds fresh, yet classy in a way that doesn't give in to today's latest trends.

The song has one of those hooks that stays with you for hours until you find yourself humming the melody without notice.  "Open up your heart! Open up your heart!"

"Cameo Lover" is complete with a newly released music video that is a rainbow of fun, almost literally.  Set against a white backdrop, Kimbra shows off her doll-like dance skills.  Backed by her group of dancers, they slowly transform a bunch of sharp dressed men into neon clad makeup-wearing men... through the power of song, of course.  The video is slick, stylish, and I love it.

Open up your heart to the "Cameo Lover" music video below...

Remixes You Should Hear: Part One

"Cold War (Wondamix)" - Janelle Monáe
The "Wondamix" of "Cold War" actually serves the opposite purpose of most remixes.  Instead of adding more to the song, the Wondamix strips away many pieces of the original.  The beat is slowed down significantly and the guitar solo is now almost classical.  I love how the mood of the song has completely changed.  It gives an entire new face to "Cold War".

"Cosmic Love (Short Club Remix)" - Florence + The Machine
I usually stay away from overly extended remixes, but the Short Club mix of Florence's hit single is a nice rendition of the original melodic track.  I like that the remix still used the acoustic instruments of the original song, but also incorporated heavy club elements.  The song starts with an acoustic guitar, but soon a dance beat comes in.  The vocal track is very prominent in the remix.  One of the biggest mistakes a DJ or producer can make is stripping away the vocals to a point of no return.  The original tack needs to be recognizable, and in this remix it is.

"Settle Down (Penguin Prison Remix)" - Kimbra
Unlike the two previous artists, Kimbra hasn't released her debut album yet.  With the little material she has out, remixes are always welcome.  The Penguin Prison Remix adds a dance beat to the quirky song.  I love the beat after the bridge.  It matches perfectly with Kimbra's "Hey, oh oh!".   The remix doesn't stray from the original format of the song, so it isn't terribly foreign to listeners of the non-remixed version. This remix proves that her voice also sounds good over a more dance/electronic style of music.

Check back soon for part two of the remix series.  The next group includes mixes of songs by Lady Gaga, La Roux, and more.

Kimbra - Settle Down

The most recent request for a review was an artist that goes by the name of Kimbra.  Prior to the request, I had never heard of her.  After watching the music video for her single "Settle Down", I watched it at least ten more times in a row.  The song is addictive.  I haven't heard anything quite like it. Kimbra's voice is kind of jazzy, but also possesses qualities found in pop and electronic music.  The song is bouncy and incredibly fresh.  I would love to hear it on the radio.



It turns out that Kimbra is a young new artist, only twenty years old, and is from New Zealand.  She's currently working on her debut album which should be out later this year.  Her unique style will surely turn heads of listeners everywhere.  She has a strange vocal technique that reminds me of Björk at times.  However, I feel that Kimbra's music is much more accessible to new listeners.

Check out the above video of Kimbra's "Settle Down".  It's oddly wonderful and will have you bobbing your head to the beat in no time.