Kimbra’s new album Reckoning isn’t just another pop record – it’s a primal scream wrapped in a dance beat. She teamed up with Ryan Lott of Son Lux to craft something raw and chaotic, blending angular, metallic production with her signature breathy R&B. “I wanted it to be confrontational,” she says. “We’re living through chaos, and I needed to make something that felt dangerous.”
For Kimbra, chaos isn’t just a vibe – it’s a method. She’s fascinated by the balance between disorder and control, often diving headfirst into creative mess before taming it into something powerful and concise. “It’s like jumping into the unknown,” she says. “I want the music to feel like that moment just before you explode.”
The album’s opener, “Save Me,” sets the tone with vulnerability first. It’s a quiet confession that cracks open before the more aggressive tracks hit. “You can’t preach about reckoning if you’re not willing to bare it all first,” Kimbra explains. She wanted to challenge herself, push against escapism, and stare down uncomfortable truths – from navigating LA’s chaotic music scene to confronting toxic relationships.
And when it comes to the sound itself, Reckoning is deliberately raw and minimal. “I’ve always been a maximalist,” Kimbra admits. “But working with Ryan made me pare it down to a few iconic sounds and let the vocals carry the story.” Songs like “LA Type” showcase that blend of minimalism and groove, while others like “Gun” take aim at power imbalances and personal reckoning.
Her latest project also includes a podcast called Playing With Fire, where she dives into topics of spirituality, creativity, and what it means to seek something bigger than yourself. It’s a space to explore the messy, philosophical side of making art – something Kimbra says keeps her sane after being in the industry since her teens.
Reckoning feels like Kimbra in her most elemental form – angry, introspective, and completely unafraid to burn it all down. Whether you’re here for the dance grooves or the raw catharsis, it’s an album that hits like a gut punch while keeping your feet moving.
Watch the interview above and then check out the video below.
