Kimbra has released her new collaborative album, Idols & Vices (Vol. 1), featuring artists like BANKS, Dawn Richard, DRAM, Skrillex, and Sahtyre. Kimbra had been sharing one song a week since July.
Idols & Vices (Vol. 1) focuses on collaboration and reinvention, delivering a more mysterious and psychedelic sound than her earlier album, A Reckoning. Produced by Kimbra and Taylor Graves, the album blends her early 90s R&B influences with contemporary pop, soul, and hip-hop.
The album “traverses the increasingly complex realm of our digital existence.” Tracks like “Keen” featuring DRAM address online disillusionment, while “Catch Ya in the Lie” featuring Le’Asha draws inspiration from catfish culture.
Kimbra explains, “I drew inspiration from catfish culture and stalkers to write this song. We can say almost anything behind digital masks until caught in the lie. It’s about reclaiming power when taken by people who seek to destroy and deceive.”
Her song “Honeycomb” is a collaboration with Candy Crush Saga, incorporating the game’s sounds. Kimbra describes her creative approach: “I like to approach my work with a sense of curiosity and discovery— that playfulness is at the heart of my creative process. Sampling the Candy Crush sounds was a wonderful reminder of the joy and freedom that music allows.”
Kimbra teamed up with New Zealand animator Greg Sharp, who has worked with Childish Gambino and Rick & Morty, to create mid-90s anime-inspired visuals for each song on the album. The videos follow 10 characters as they explore a world of fantasies and distractions while seeking moments of awakening.
Idols & Vices (Vol. 1) is the follow-up to Kimbra’s 2023 album A Reckoning, which features 10 tracks where she shares her most personal thoughts, encouraging listeners to find connection and catharsis through her music.
In her Substack, Kimbra shared insights about the project: “As I started building Idols & Vices (Vol. 1) it became clear that the record had some strong central themes that were very different to [2023 album] A Reckoning. It largely revolved around collaboration for example and my voice felt less confessional and more mysterious.
“This record gave me a chance to build an entirely new world where I could reinvent myself alongside some of my best friends. Even before the animations came to life, I knew this album would feel more psychedelic and surreal. Since A Reckoning was so vulnerable and revealing, I was able to put back on the armour and fanfare when I worked on this record. It was my little secret. While A Reckoning rolled out, I knew I had a whole new record right round the corner that no one knew about. It was a great way to stay playful.”
After the release of her 2023 album, Kimbra toured Australia and New Zealand, performing at venues like The Sydney Opera House for Vivid LIVE, Melbourne Recital Hall, and Auckland’s Synthony in the Domain. Recently, Kimbra completed a series of US shows as a special guest for Jacob Collier.
Kimbra’s Idols & Vices (Vol. 1) is out now.
