A Reckoning

by Kimbra

Overview

Even though Kimbra fans know to expect the unexpected, A Reckoning proves she can still surprise. As she views the turbulence of the early 2020s through a personal lens, questioning relationships, identity, and the world at large, she creates moods that are distinctly different from any of her previous work. The droning and chiming electronics that drive the introspective opening track "Save Me" have more in common with Homogenic or Kid A than most of Kimbra's own discography, while "Gun"'s explosive outbursts make it clear that she's ready to rip it up and start again. Even when she indulges in crate-digging mashups like those on The Golden Echo and Primal Heart, the feeling that she's done putting up with nonsense remains on "LA Type," a funky skewering of West Coast fakeness that features Tommy Raps and Pink Siifu backing her up. Kimbra's use of hip-hop and electronic music on A Reckoning fortifies her resilience: she mixes teeth-rattling beats and slinky keys on "Replay"'s recriminations, and grounds "GLT"'s alluring kiss-offs with a massive bass and bars from Erick the Architect. When she returns to introspection as the album winds down, it showcases the growing maturity of her songwriting. "Foolish Thinking," a duet with Son Lux's Ryan Lott, is a tender meditation on how pain can lead to growth. Even better is "I Don't Want to Fight," where she keeps her words and vocals hauntingly simple. As heartbroken and fed up as she is on much of A Reckoning, Kimbra still makes room for playful songs and sounds. It's no coincidence that one of the sexiest-sounding songs, "Personal Space," is about taking time for herself. "New Habit" is ostensibly about meeting and obsessing over someone new, but its taut rhyme scheme and surging choruses feel like shedding a skin. Kimbra's willingness to shake things up is one of her greatest strengths, and by going to extremes on A Reckoning, she delivers some of her most daring and thoughtful music. ~ Heather Phares

Product Details

Release Date:	01/27/2023
Label:	KIMBRA
UPC:	9332727124594

Tracks

1. Save Me
2. Replay!
3. Gun
4. The Way We Were
5. New Habit
6. GLT
7. La Type
8. Foolish Thinking
9. Personal Space
10. I Don't Want To

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Kimbra   Primary Artist
Rob Moose   Viola,Violin,Strings
Taylor Graves   Keyboards,Synthesizer,Synthesizer Bass
Spencer Zahn   Bass (Electric)
Ryan Lott   Piano,Featured Artist
Ahmir Thompson   Drums
James Joel Dann   Voices
Tommy Raps   Featured Artist
Jacob Collier   Vocals
Pink Siifu   Featured Artist
Erick the Architect   Featured Artist

Technical Credits

Rob Moose   Arranger,String Arrangements
Justin Tranter   Composer
Matt Friedman   Composer
Taylor Graves   Composer,Producer
Chris Tabron   Composer,Additional Production
Paul Dixon   Composer,Additional Production
Spencer Zahn   Vocal Engineer
Ryan Lott   Composer,Producer,String Arrangements
Nate Mercereau   Composer,Additional Production
Kimbra   Composer,Producer
Eli Crews   Vocal Engineer
Twerk   Mastering
Tommy Raps   Composer
Andy Seltzer   Composer
Jacob Bergson   Programming
Jon Castelli   Mixing
Felix Snow   Composer,Additional Production
Zachary Tenorio-Miller   Composer
Pink Siifu   Composer
Timon Martin   Composer,Producer
Erick the Architect   Composer
Brux   Composer,Producer
John Rooney   Engineer