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.

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...