Video Review - Reunited

Reunited

by Alex Watts

EP: Sing Strum and Strut (available now)

When I think about some of the most memorable music clips, some of them are all action and drama and bam and dancing and cigarettes and alcohol and...wait, maybe that's just a blur of memories combined with something I saw in a movie once. Ok, start again, when I think about some of the most memorable music clips, some are all action, but the ones that seem to stick are the more subtle ones; I'm thinking the likes of Radiohead's 'No Surprises', Janelle Monae's 'Cold War', Jessie Ware's 'Wildest Moments', even the much copied and sometimes now kind of dull Sinead O'Connor's 'Nothing Compares 2U' are all clips that use the simplest shots and let the songs they represent do the talking. It's not a new trick, but when it's done well, it's a perfectly stunning trick. Which brings me to a clip which came to my attention this week, by Melbourne's Alex Watts. 

'Reunited' is the third song on Alex Watt's EP, Sing Strum and Strut and what a song it is. A story of love, lust and love and lust lost, the clip is shot simply in black and white, a close up of Alex showing the pure emotion behind the first beautiful lyrics, his eyes closed; is that a sense of desperation or depression one is watching? Either way, it's hard to look away and when I realise there is another person behind him, I know this is a clip I won't be skipping through, this is a simple story that I need to see and my eyes are desperate to know where I'm going to be led. Guest vocalist Seri Vida is the voice beside and behind his; her gorgeous, strong tones complimenting Alex's and the uncomplicated scene that is being created resting back to back in combination with the complexity of the song's themes is absolutely magnificent, exactly as it should be. This is a perfectly stunning song and a perfectly stunning clip to match. It's this type of clip that stays in the mind and this type of song that sticks in the memory and the fact that I'm still singing the chorus to myself a day later is a testament to the talents of Alex, his songwriting and his clip making abilities. Perfectly simple, perfectly perfect.

Jo Michelmore gives the 'Reunited' clip four Thom Yorke heads out of five... 


Alex Watts is playing shows all over the country right now and if you head over to our gig guide you can check out all the dates and venues, then head over to his facebook page and hit like, because you do, right?

The A to Z of Pop - R is for Rock AND Pop, Like Ketchup and Curry.

This is probably the worst letter so far. It's more a dysfunctional P than R, right?

The A to Z of Pop

by Jo Michelmore

The other night, the conversation in my household involved what everyone was eating for dinner. My housemates were talking protein and vegetables, while I was thinking about chips. (I think about potato based delights a lot. Don't judge me. I also think of gelati quite a bit. Shut up.) The conversation somehow turned to curry and the concept of putting tomato ketchup on a curry. This disgusted me. Who would do such a thing? Why ruin two perfectly delicious things by combining them? Which strangely brings us to the 'R' in the A to Z of Pop. Rock. While I've patiently worked my way through 18 letters of the alphabet all the while wishing I'd started the A to Z of Rock first, there are some things that shouldn't be put together. Like ketchup and curry, like ice cream and tomatoes, pop and rock are beautiful things, but sometimes (most times, unless you're incredibly intoxicated) they should be enjoyed...totally separately.

Like when 80s rockers Def Leppard, who we shall call the ketchup, decided it would be a good idea if Taylor Swift, who we shall call the curry, joined them on their classic 'Pour Some Sugar On Me', but it turned out Taylor awkwardly singing to a man twice her age about what one should do to breakfast cereal, not herself. Like ketchup and curry, like rock and pop - we say no.

But they didn't learn their lesson, and the old man from Def Leppard, the ol' vindaloo themselves, sang 'Love Story' with Taylor, who we shall call the ketchup, and the vindaloo crooned about being the ketchup's Prince, but they were no royalty, they were more like her grandfathers and everyone just looked totally awkward and not tasty the whole time. Like ketchup and curry, like rock and pop - we say no.

That same old butter chicken, Def Leppard have obviously let just about anyone cover their songs so they can keep their retirement fund healthy. Mariah Carey, who we shall call the ketchup, sang one of their songs and also got one of my fave guitarists of all time, Dave Navarro (who for this exercise we shall call gelati) somehow got involved and everyone looked totally awkward on stage. Like ketchup and curry and gelati combined, like rock and pop - we say no.

Once upon a time, Iggy Pop met Kesha....oh I can't even. This is awful. This is worse than ketchup and curry, worse than fish fingers and custard, like rock and pop, somethings should not be consumed together - and we say NO!

It's My Kind Of Interview - Ella Hooper for MMB

If you're an emerging (or even not so emerging) music act from the great southern state of Victoria, you're going to want to know about the Melbourne Music Bank competition. It's just this little competition put on by the good people from the Bank of Melbourne in which the winner can win some amazing prizes like a film clip and recording time in the swank Sing Sing studios and PR advice your song featured in a TV advertisement and bears, oh my! Well, no bears. But that other stuff is sweet as!


All you gotta do is come up with an original piece of music that's inspired by Melbs. This year, the event has one mighty fine ambassador... ELLA HOOPER!!! Ella has a keen eye for Australian talent and brings a wealth of music industry experience to the role. The lovely Melbourne Music Bank Ambassador took the time to have a chat with us about this amazing opportunity and Matt even managed to sneak in a Q about when we can expect to hear the much anticipated debut solo album, In Tongues. Enjoy!

MELBOURNE MUSIC BANK AMBASSADOR

ELLA HOOPER

Interview by Matt Bond

Ella Hooper, welcome back to It's My Kind of Scene! How are you on this fine day?

Ella Hooper: Well I'm just dandy.. Thanks for asking. Always happy to be chatting to my favourite blog!

It's great to have you back for a chat, this time in your role as ambassador for the Melbourne Music Bank! Can you tell us a little bit about this fantastic opportunity for Victorian music acts and what drew you to it?

Ella: I'm always up for promoting and supporting other musicians, especially aspiring ones, and especially when they're from my own back yard! So when I was asked to be ambassador I checked out the comp and after finding out how bloody good it was I said yes straight away.. and had a little cry that I couldn't enter it myself! (haha)

There are some huge prizes for the winner here including session time at the iconic Sing Sing studios, a Wilk created music video, song placement in a Bank of Melbourne advertisement and even marketing and PR assistance from the amazing team at On the Map PR. Does it get better than this? What could this mean for an emerging artist trying to get their first real break in the industry?

Ella: It's a ridiculously hefty prize package, and it's not just the AMOUNT of opportunities - it's the QUALITY of them that's outstanding. I mean, Wilk, Sing Sing, On The Map.. they're all first class leaders in their fields! An emerging artist ready to take these connections and opportunities with both hands and run with them is going to receive such a massive career boost! It was a free recording session that kick started my career many many moons ago, so take it from me, these things can take you a lonnnnnng way. I can't wait to witness it.

"The music piece should be an affirmative ode demonstrating your fondness for Melbourne." Say Ella Hooper was able to enter into all the fun. How would you go about demonstrating your fondness for the world's most liveable city?

Ella: I think I would TRY to find a unique, personal angle, and maybe steer away from the tourist traps, or hipsters, coffees, or the MCG.. As I think it would be great to express something more personal about Melbs, about the songwriters experiences with or relationship to the city. What it means and feels like, more than just name checking it's (admittedly plentiful) attributes.

Melbourne Music Bank is open to those currently living, working or studying in Victoria. Who would you describe as the quintessential Victorian music act and why?

Ella: Ooh that's hard! We have such a diverse music scene here.. One night I'm off to see an alt country band, the next it's Midnight Juggernauts or some nasty punk band. Can I put the Smith St Band - Paul Kelly - Jen Cloher and Architecture In Helsinki on a blender please and serve you up one delicious (hideous pink) quintessential Victorian music act smoothie??


You can do and say what you want because you said this is your favourite blog. We have it in writing, no backsies! Anyway, as well as being the ambassador, you're also one of the judges! I think this is most excellent, because you've got quite the eye for talent. I've seen you hanging out a bit with Jack Colwell this year! Most recently you collaborated on a cover of Kate Bush's 'Cloudbusting' for the mega babes at Music Feeds. What brought the two of you together? 

Ella: Well it's a funny story!

We met through our mutual friend Hayley (who has a fashion label called Serpent & Swan that both of us are obsessed with). She got us together at Homebake a few years ago. We hit it off instantly, then the day was full of weird incidents like Jack lending Kimbra his last $20 so she could buy a sandwich (?!) and us trying desperately to get on a demonic looking fairground ride called 'the gremlin'.. We never made it onto the ride (probably a good thing) so we made up a dance called The Gremlin instead. We've been the best of friends ever since and we like to sing together at every opportunity. Jack is most likely going to take over the world one day. I hope so anyway. He KILLED it at my Red Shoes single launch in Syd recently. Like completely blew everyone away. Completely.

Now, Ella... where's your album, In Tongues at? Getting to hear the tracks live on your 'Low High' tour has made me even more excited about the album and you may have mentioned something about a June/July release and...

Ella: Eeeeeeeep.. You are so nice and patient with me!

There's been a few delays and now I can excitedly say it's scheduled for release early October. I can't wait to let you hear ALL of In Tongues. I'm really proud of it, I'm just sorry it's taken so long!

Bring on October! Thank you so much for taking the time to have a chat with us again. It's always an absolute pleasure! I'd ask you again if you'd marry me, but I've done that before and don't want you to think I'm a total stalker. Because I'm not. Haha. What?

Ella: Stalk away! ;D haha.. Thank YOU guys for your constant support and enthusiasm!

You're the best!

Xx Ella

If anyone's the best, it's you, Ella. Sigh/swoon etc. etc. A massive thanks to the always delightful Ella Hooper for hanging out with us once more. Stop by whenever you want, Ella... our virtual door is always open for you! Now, Victorian music friends... get your butts over to the Melbourne Music Bank site for the full brief on what you need to do to enter into this incredible competition. Don't forget, you need to get those entries in before September 7, 2014! We can't wait to hear some of the entries. Melbourne's a pretty cool place, you know? I'm sure it's going to inspire some very cool music. Good luck to everyone entering! You can also stay up to date with all things Ella Hooper over at her Facebook page! If you haven't already, go and give it a like! 

Gig Review - Asgeir

ASGEIR

Live @ The Forum, Melbourne (22 July, 2014)

Review by Lou Endicott

A few weeks ago amidst a heavy work schedule I had a golden date with music awesomeness scrawled into my diary: Asgeir at The Forum in Melbourne. My fellow music fan and friend, Paul and I had been talking excitedly about this artist for several months prior to the live event. For those not in the know, Icelandic musician Asgeir (pronounced “Os-gee-ah”) is relatively new on the Australian music scene. For his young age (he’s only 22) he has managed to record an album which approximately half of his native country own a copy of.

I can’t quite explain what it is that Asgeir does to my heart when I hear his music. It’s immediately familiar territory with its beautiful folk sensibilities, soft vocal lines and acoustic guitar. But it is at once new and exciting with its melodic dips and turns, lyrical mastery and gorgeous layering of instruments including electronic sampling and powerful drums. I have to admit some of the music of his album Into The Silence has filled my ears and heart with such emotive beauty that I have been left weeping (often while driving in peak hour stand still traffic – not a good look when people are staring into your car looking concerned. I just want to shout, “Check out this music! If you don’t get it you’re dead inside!!”) But you know, that’s not my style… Needless to say I think I became a fan of Asgeir almost upon my first listen.

The Forum is one of Melbourne’s best concert venues with its domed ceiling and Roman-esque statues adorning the gorgeous and intricate proscenium arch. There is something almost magical about the venue itself with its preservation of history and finery – right down to the foyers in the toilets. The magic bled into anticipation as the room became suddenly silent. The stage was darkened as the music begun. A soft and gentle voice sung out into the dark unaccompanied in what I can only assume was Icelandic. Much dry ice started to flow over the stage as the lights gently came up.

A side note here: My friend Paul and I were happy to have a staked out a spot quite close to the stage while watching the support act. As soon as the lights came up though more than a few people pushed past us rudely with much force and carelessness to get closer to the stage. Those around us who had been patiently waiting were all dismayed at this new influx of people pushing and shoving. I made a mental note here to write this in my review: crowd pushing = uncool folks (particularly if the concert has already started). Pick your spot, get there early and stay put.

Asgeir and his band entered through the dry ice in a lighting wash of red, blue and orange - colours to warm the crowd and bring us straight into the heart space. “Head in the Snow” led the set with its gentle tripped beat and gorgeous humming intro. I was immediately beaming the kind of smile that can only come from listening to an album over and over and finally hearing it live. I love the lyrics. “Hope and faith, don’t you fail me now…” Some soaring angelic stadium worthy guitar took the sound up into the ether and lifted the audience up with it.

Next up we were treated to an Icelandic version of the album's title track “In the Silence”. This was the first song that I heard from Asgeir and it captured me immediately. Both Paul and I had speculated whether or not we might hear something sung in Icelandic. This song was such a joy to hear in its original form. The uplifting drums, soft yet soaring vocals and driving intensity really shone through – even though the language was not my own. As far as I’m concerned I think this song could melt all the ice that Asgeir’s country is famous for. “Lupin Intrigue” (another favourite off the album) came in next with its electronic hook mixed with gorgeous acoustic keys. A light streamed from behind Asgeir creating another worldly visual of an angel. Asgeir invested in stillness as he sung - holding his power with his delicate voice and engaging stage presence. With its delicious electronic tweet throughout the song, I kept imagining a scene in a hospital with a patient in surgery seeing an angel watch over them. If you’ve read any of my reviews before you will know that to me music can become a visual medium with the addition of a little of my imagination. I make no apologies for it.

The first song off the album, “Higher” brought some singing to the crowd. I am usually all for a crowd to join in a song and share the jubilation of music together. However Paul and I were standing next to one of the pusher-in-ers who started to screech sing at the top of her voice as she swung her drink about above her head. The song “Higher” is not your classic sing-along anthem by any stretch. It’s more of an end-of-the-day-let-all-the-stress-go-and-chill-right-down kind of number. A few looks of the audience around me confirmed I wasn’t the only one wishing she would stop.

After “Higher” Asgeir thanked the crowd for coming before swapping his acoustic guitar for another and then launching into “Summer Guest”. The album version is very folky in a simple stripped back 60s songwriter kind of way – perhaps a little like Nick Drake or even a bit Simon and Garfunkel. The live version however was delivered with a slide guitar adding a whole new twist of country to the arrangement. I adore the simple lyrical journey of this song. Originally I interpreted the song lyrics to tell the story of a passing musician who had inspired Asgeir. “Perched upon a branch of green…He rests his legs from the long journey…Warms my heart with one true song…I listen close, to tales of battles won…” That is until one night with a wine in hand my friend Paul patiently stated the ridiculously obvious: “I think it’s about a bird Lou. The bird is the summer guest who leaves his song. Asgeir awaits his return for next years season.” Sometimes I look so hard for meaning I miss what is right in front of me. I love how music is open to interpretation.

“Was there nothing but the hush of night…” Asgeir sung out into the darkened room bathed in a soft pink light. The hush of the crowd was more than apparent here as we entered into solo singer/guitarist territory with the song “Was There Nothing?”. Around here Paul turned to me and said, “This guy is going to be huge. I can’t believe we are here watching and listening to THIS!” I concurred. I was absolutely filled with joy to be in the venue letting this beautiful music penetrate. “Yes the good was not without the bad. Raise up your swords and shields...” sung Asgeir. There was only good in the delivery of this amazing number.

A blackout brought the groove slickly back into the spotlight. The song “Going Home” was next up on the list of delights with gorgeous keys and mellifluous harmonies reigning supreme. There is a beautiful acoustic version on the deluxe album that I have hit repeat on many a time. Played live, the song was taken on a whole new journey. “Going Home” was layered with beats like heavy feet on a path trudging with hope yet determination towards the warmth and comfort of a familiar abode. The song had a fantastic new build in it with a big squelchy electro wail of solo midway through. The talented drummer - with one stick in his mouth - twokked out the crescendo with gusto and expertise as the electro landscape erupted in one monster of a solo. I imagined the solo soaring over us like a pterodactyl dinosaur – such was the intensity. My chest bones literally reverberated. I loved this new and exciting contrast to what is otherwise a gentle song of longing and hope.

A cover was next. “Oh yes, thank you God!” whispered Paul as Asgeir launched into Nirvana’s “Heart Shaped Box”. The 1993 song from Nirvana’s In Utero album is so utterly different that this cover might have been almost unrecognisable. Asgeir breathed a whole new being into the story of the song. I think perhaps around here I realized that many of the audience perhaps did not know the original. However, much like singer/guitarist Jose Gonzalez’s ability to take a song and give it a new and refreshing identity, Asgeir nailed this number and made it firmly his own.

“It’s great to be in Australia for the first time,” Asgeir told the audience. “It’s so much colder than we expected. We’ve only been here a few hours but we’ve already met lots of good people.” Obviously they landed in Melbourne first! The next song up was a new song called “Dreaming” which featured a tapestry of vocal harmonies including lots of euphonious “ahhhhhhs”. Asgeir’s voice again soared up like an angel. Looking around me I saw a lot of couples snuggling up to this new tune as Asgeir sung out, “Look up to the stars….” Beautiful powerful chords held the grounding of this new song - still allowing the spirit to be risen - yet leaving time and space for the heart of the song to cry out in the dark.

A beautiful classical inspired keyboard melody introduced us next into an Icelandic song. The effect was sweet – almost like a lullaby. Around here I wish I spoke Asgeir’s language. But then suddenly I realised that I did. The language of music and the haunting longing of this song captured and held all of the audience in his spell. It was easy to understand.

Another Icelandic version was next with the song “Harmony”. Golden light washed over the stage and matched the light, refreshing, uplifting sentiment and mood of the song. THIS song was more of one to sing to along to! There is a section when Asgeir and his band all start to sing “Ahhhh…. Ahhh..” I couldn’t help but sing along. After all, we all “ah” in the same language.

We were then introduced to the band - which apart from a drummer and other guitarist - also included the producer of the album (on synth and samples) and Asgeir’s own brother (on bass). The last song was the single “King And Cross”. It has got a lot of airplay on Triple J since its release and the crowd started to move along with much enthusiasm and sing along with the upbeat chorus.

An encore was absolutely obvious at this point. And for me I was just hoping that Asgeir would play my favourite song off the album. To my utter delight (and my weepy eyes) Asgeir played the acoustic version of my favourite song (also my favourite version – there are two on the album). “On That Day” is simply one of my favourite songs of the year and sits in my mental list of top songs to use as a healing balm when working through a broken heart. Personal info here: I don’t personally have a broken heart. But at my age, I have had quite a few and these experiences opens my ears and heart up to being moved considerably by music that speaks of this passage. The guitar, the voice, the melody and the utterly exquisite poetry of this song all come together to create something that floors me every time I listen. It unpacks what heart felt music is all about: Intimacy. Or as I see it: Into me See.

To pick the audience up after this show-stealing song the band rejoined to give us one more aural delight in the song “Torrent”. I couldn’t help but feel uplifted and living in the centre of something quite amazing just listening to this song: “Gods of iron clashing, wind in battle through the night. Tears will fall, and strength is needed to overcome….Torrents wash away everything…. Raindrops flowing all around.”

I just wanted to run out into the street afterwards yelling out, “Celebrate every moment of life people!!” Such was the joy that this incredible set of songs and their delivery brought to me. The musical high experienced from this event lasted with me for days after the event with each listen of the album. If you love reflective, poetic, uplifting yet soft and gentle music I implore you to seek Asgeir music out. He is sure to become a household name in this country.

Video Review - Girls

Girls

by Coach Bombay (available August 15)

I read an article today and the headline of that article was something along the lines of; 'The Music Industry Is Literally Brainwashing You To Like Pop Songs' and it spoke of how we are brainwashed into liking some pop songs, which is an interesting concept, considering I've just heard the song and seen the clip for 'Girls' by Coach Bombay for the very first time and I totally and completely LOVE it. 

Am I being brainwashed? I don't actually care! What is there not to love? A stupidly simple pop song, with a simple beat and keys, some stupidly cute and funny lyrics and great 80s style clip to match. It's all pinks and purples (which means the 8 year old in me loves it), it's all leotards and tights (which means the skinny version of me loves it), it's all leg warmers and bad hair (which means the retro fashion devotee in me loves it) and it's totally ridiculous (which means the current me typing this loves it). Top it all off with the catchiest, silliest pop song and you have here my newest fave pop obsession.

Maybe all of this retro and pop simplicity is brainwashing, but if it is, it's the best kind of brainwashing. I'm certainly not going to complain if brainwashing is this much fun. Actually, you know what? Coach Bombay: come on! Brainwash me more please! 

Jo Michelmore gives 'Girls' four Presets heads out of five...

Want some more pop inspired brainwashing? Coach Bombay are playing some shows to launch 'Girls' and you can catch them on...

Fri, 5th September at Shebeen, Melbourne (with The Twoks and Halycon Drive)

Thurs, 11th September at BIGSOUND, Brisbane and 

Sat, 13th September at Beach Road Hotel, Sydney


And check out Coach Bombay's live dates and a whole lot more awesome music over at our brand new gig guide! Go on!

Album Review - The Golden Echo

THE GOLDEN ECHO

by Kimbra (out August 15, 2014)

How do you avoid the sophomore slump? For Kimbra it's been a case of pushing her genre-bending sounds into unexplored territory, while bringing in a dream team of collaborators to take the 24 year old New Zealander from where she was when we heard her debut, Vows to where she is now. Her second album, The Golden Echo, is without question the best pop album released in 2014 even though (and especially because) it doesn't exist within the confines of what we've come to expect 'pop' music will be. Of course there's larger than life hooks that keep you coming back for more, an epic singalong or two and the ever present themes of love and love lost, but it's the sounds of The Golden Echo that steal the show. The blending of hip-hop, jazz, rock and contemporary electronic beats and the instrumentation have been carefully considered. What you'll find to be the most effective instrument throughout is Kimbra's voice, which packs even more of an emotional punch this time around. Who thought that was possible?

From the first listen of lead single, '90's Music' we knew The Golden Echo was going to take some fairly huge leaps away from Vows. With retro-cool verses and an exploding chorus that dared you to try not dancing to it, '90s Music' left everyone scrambling to classify, label and cage it up with similar tracks and genres. That wasn't going to happen. That didn't happen. It's funny to think a song that invites you to look back through the musical treasure chest that was the 90s is going to be considered a piece of music that defines 2014 for so many people. '90s Music' is a world removed from the latest single, 'Miracle', one of the few album cuts you wouldn't feel was out of place on Kimbra's 2011 debut. It makes the most immediate impact. You might even find yourself humming that insanely catchy chorus melody to yourself at work while people look at you with a look that just screams, "I can't believe you don't shut up." You can look all you want, 'Imma keep on humming. This is music that's full of pure joy, bringing 60s trendsetters like The Jackson 5 to mind. Funk vibes are practically shooting out of Kimbra's mouth and into your core. If you were to link 'Miracle' to '90s Music', the best thing to say is that both will make you want to wave those hands in the air like you just don't care.     

The Golden Echo is led by 'Teen Heat', an ode to ladies cashing in their V cards. The focus is placed firmly on Kimbra's vocal performance, an introduction of sorts. Relatively light electronic beats accompany the verses before the chorus takes a turn for the dramatic with staccato vocals, pounding drums and oh-so-modern synths. Lyrically, it's a genuine, honest and mature look at a subject that could suffer from the melodrama that's expected to come with it. 'Carolina' feels somewhat like a 'Cameo Lover' throwback. Not in a way that makes you feel like Kimbra's been there and done that. It's more in the energy of the track, the incredibly warm feeling the song provides and the irresistible beat that starts pounding down in the chorus. "But in my heart I know it's time to come back (I feel it, I feel it), 'Cause you're the home I never find off the beaten track (I feel it)." A blast of trombone here, some shaking tambourine there and the dreamiest of multi-layered vocals. You'll have a hard time moving on from this one. 

Our first chilled out moment comes at the halfway mark and 'Rescue Him'. It leans harder in the electronic direction; distorted vocals and sounds that fly in and out, earning many a repeated listen to capture them all. Kimbra's recent time spent with Janelle Monae could be the source of the Future Soul sounds that have worked their way into 'Madhouse'. There's definitely a lot more owing to the 80s here than anything else on The Golden Echo, but it's still fresh and far too funky for its own good. This might have a little something to do with Kimbra's collaborator on the song, Thundercat. 'As You Are' felt like the song I was really waiting to hear, even though I might not have known it going in. It's one of those performances from Kimbra that stops time for almost five and a half minutes. A ballad in which the success rests on a repeated piano line and a vocal performance that emphasises the blues in R'n'B. Ask me at the end of the year what my favourite track off The Golden Echo is. I don't see me saying anything other than 'As You Are'. 

'Love In High Places' is smooth enough to have a little bit of Simpsons-ish Homer drool suddenly appear in your mouth. There is no higher compliment, right? Right. The guitar solo will take you to your new happy place. With a title like 'Waltz Me To The Grave', you wouldn't be the only one thinking that the final song on The Golden Echo was going to take you to anywhere but a happy place. A subject like death can do that. We've gone from the innocent days of youth on 'Teen Heat' to the acceptance of life's one inevitability on 'Waltz Me To The Grave'. An appropriate beginning and end. And what an ending Kimbra's given us. It's the longest track on the album, clocking in at seven minutes and thirty seconds, but the time passes far too quickly. A bit like life itself. Ok, I'll stop with the life and death chat. But you try to not talk about it when you're listening to this song, alright? We should acknowledge before I wrap this up that 'Waltz Me To The Grave' is far from a downer, which couldn't have been easy. Kudos to you, Kimbra."Don't look back, we're heading south. I've loved this world with all I have, now I'm ready to go..." 

How do you avoid the sophomore slump? You release an album like The Golden Echo. You push forward with an uncompromising vision of your work. You build on what your fans have come to expect of you and then you invite them to take a journey on which you find yourself realising your full potential. And that's what Kimbra lives up to on The Golden Echo; her potential. With Vows, an album that's still one of the best debuts around, we knew it was only a taste of the amazing career that Kimbra Johnson would have. On her second album, Kimbra steps out with all the confidence in the world, exceeding all the expectations placed upon her in the process. Vows was the statement that made us take notice. The Golden Echo is all the reason in the world for us to keep our well-placed faith in Kimbra as strong as it's ever been. When I said it's the best pop album of the year, I really meant it's the best album of the year. What else has to be said? 

Matt Bond gives The Golden Echo five Kanye West heads out of five...