Album review: Primal Heart

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Kimbra’s Primal Heart is a fascinating album of many disparate parts. In some ways it’s more a producer’s album than a singer’s, featuring texture and complex production as the artist explores the varied expressions of her undeniable and prodigious talent.

The crisp, tight, and layered opening track, The Good War, is reminiscent of Lorde but by track two Kimbra is firmly asserting her individuality.

Nothing about this album is predicitable or formulaic which makes it captivating from start to finish. At times its big, insistent sound begs for a large sound system and the windows thrown open. It’s for dancing, sharing, and shouting from the rooftops.

At other times it’s intimate and stripped back. For me, that is when it’s at its strongest. Past Love, Right Direction and Version of Me were my personal favourites with Kimbra’s fantastic vocals to the fore but with just enough edge and unease to keep you on notice that your full attention is required.

Version of Me in particular is an absolutely stunning track. Don’t let the gentle piano intro fool you as the dark, unsettling production never lets this track fall into complacency. The lyrics are also on point as they express the promises often made by lovers. “Next time I’ll be kinder with you. There’s just this habit that I have. Throw my words around like fire. They catch on your good heart and your piece of mind…There’s a better version of me. Stay for the person I will be.”

Primal Heart is an exploration rather than a cohesive whole with a singular or overarching voice. But the places it takes its listener to are compelling, intriguing and never dull.

★★★★ (4 stars)

_{Review written by Jacquie Walters}