The Wonder from Down Under

Kate Miller-Heidke has emerged from the outback of Australia to the international pop scene with her release Curiouser. From somber and moody to sober and sassy, Kate displays her musicianship and wonderful vocal talents to the world.

Curiouser is like the girl of every man’s dreams, plenty of attitude with a sweet and endearing side. Kate’s tongue-in-cheek nonchalance is reminiscent of Lily Allen, vocals included.

Kate Miller-Heidke’s eclectic and versatile vocals sound sweet on soft ballads; she has a fluttery vibrato that hangs like a cloud in the sky. Her classical training and opera background show as she hits emotional high notes. Unique vocal talents such as yodeling and rapid-fire talking (almost rapping) are also prominent on the album.

The musical elements of Curiouser are very harmonic and sometimes chromatic, moving between the notes of a scale to create drama and tension. Orchestral instruments are used on the album with grooving electric guitar to accent the beat.

“Motorscooter” is a stellar track with some French lyrics and even features a xylophone(!). This song is edgy with cool phrasing and plenty of attitude, with the lyrics “You’re so metrosexual.” “Caught in the Crowd” has nice open-string, acoustic guitar strumming and a catchy and sentimental hook. “The Last Day on Earth” is a very pretty piano piece and beautiful vocals. “Politics in Space” is a bluesy, foot-stomping tune that is super addictive. It has repetitive chants and a sassy chorus.

Curiouser is cleverly put together and well written. She goes from beautiful to snarky with each song and keeps the listener interested in what she is singing. Three cheers for the wonder from down under.