Review Summary: Pleasing both the retro-lovers and diehard indie pop nerds, Kimbra brings pure gold to the pop world that will stick with people for years.
“Somebody That I Used To Know” was a huge surprise hit by Gotye that sounded so different from any other hit song, that it shocked even me on how it got popular with the mainstream audience. The song, which tells the story of a sour couple arguing which person is right in the argument, would've been just fine if it was all from the guys perspective. But they threw a curveball: Kimbra has a guest verse as the girl in the fight that gives the song a whole new level of complexity(for indie pop). 2 years later, the singer that put the Number one song of 2012 over the edge has now released a great indie pop LP The Golden Echo. To put this short: This is, as the title describes, truly a golden echo. It is a glorious sound to the ears that repeats again and again.
For the 1st half of the album it’s all about the retro tracks. From the glittery disco track “Miracle”, which sports a beautiful falsetto performance brought by Kimbra, to the sexy, 80s pop “Madhouse”. These tracks also have amazing choruses, which all great pop songs have, no matter the subgenre. Some of the standout choruses are from “Goldmine”, the previously mentioned “Miracle”, and the grand hook of the album opener “Teen Heat”. There’s also the soul-inspired track “Carolina” that has slick production that for some reason reminds me of Amy Winehouse, which is always a good thing.
But don’t worry, she doesn't simply take the easy route and simply replicate other artists, she has amazing songs that are 100% Kimbra. Some of here best non-retro tracks are majestic ballads, such as the beautiful piano driven “As You Are” and the smooth and jazzy closer “Waltz Me To The Grave”. The one fault this album has is the 1st single released for the album, “90’s Music” the song just seems overstuffed with unrealized musical ideas. If the song were a little longer, as it’s the shortest song on the album, some of the ideas could be fleshed out more. It still has some moments in the song, but it still my least favorite song on the album, which is like finding bronze in a goldmine: Not as spectacular as what you expected, but still valuable.
This sophomore record has the perfect mix of nostalgic yet fresh takes on retro genres and brand new developments in what could be the music of the future. It’s also the perfect balance of feet-moving, danceable tracks, to smoothly subtle ballads that will take you to a heavenly place you won’t see any other way. Let the echoes ring through the night!
Reccomended Tracks:
Carolina
Goldmine
Miracle
As You Are
Nobody But You
Waltz Me To The Grave
