Kimbra. Yup, another brilliant popstar from down thataway. Whilst I have recently typed/sung the praises of Ladi6, another New Zealand singer, it is clear to me that 21 year old Kimbra (Johnson) will be the first across the finishline of borderless stardom.

Her debut album is called Vows and it was released in NZ and Australia (Where Miss K now resides) on September 2nd. Warner Brothers signed this songstress for the world and it is likely they will devote some energy and money to the proposition that we are all equally entitled to this superfine Pop/Soul/Jazz yumstrosity.

Two singles have advanced the cause thus far. The first, "Settle Down" is a skitish, clap-driven marvel that strikes me as a distant cousin to Nellie McKay's ironiclassic "I Wanna Get Married." The second, "Cameo Lover" drops science on the shape of things to come. The song is an intricately contructed, near-perfect partical of Pop. It starts off catchy, simple and mainstream, then leaps into a Mari Wilsonesque two-part chorus that you just don't get in your average aural confection these days. From there it's another verse, then an amazing bridge that recalls early Style Council, chorus repeat and coda. There are by my count, five stand alone hooks packed into this four minute miracle. That, ladies and gents, is value.

Folks have been throwing around the names Nina Simone and Bessie Smith in reference to Miss K, but I'll call woah on that for the time being. There is definitely genre bending ambition at work here. Kimbra lists dozens of idols and influences from Frank Sinatra to Outkast, Animal Collective to Cornelius. Beyond her own work she has been known to cover Prince live and has guested on groovy tracks by Miami Horror and Gotye.

Clearly there is a lot to expect and take in from this newbie and the world needs genuinely ambitious omni-directional pop stars (Curb time for Madame GaGa). Mark your calendars. Kimbra is coming.

Here is the vid for "Cameo Lover"

And the soundcloud for album standout "Good Intent"

  Good Intent by Kimbra

Clearly, it would be wise and true to...

PASS THAT SHIT ON!