Seraphina Lotkhamnga on May 29th, 2012

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Kimbra Johnson, now mononymously known as Kimbra, brought some life to Hollywood Forever Cemetery when she returned to L.A. for a show in the majestic Masonic Lodge on Thursday night. Touting her outrageous fashion again, the New Zealand-born singer proved she was much more than the female voice in her international hit “Somebody I Used to Know” with Australian artist Gotye.

Her outstanding backing band (complete with two backing vocalists dressed in gothic robes) played the intro to “Limbo,” a song off her “Settle Down” EP, and perfectly set the tone for the rest of the night. When the tribal beats and quirky jazz riffs just began to run amok, Kimbra pounced on to stage full of energy only to relay those powerhouse vocals into the mic and throughout the room.

With her petite frame bouncing up and down in a poofy, colorful skirt made up of ribbons bunched together, the now Australian resident expressively clawed at the air and belted as if there were almost a supernatural force pushing the music out of her. The rich colors in her vocals only added to her vibrancy on stage, and there wasn’t much need for the pop songstress to talk in between “Good Intent,” “Two Way Street” and more songs mostly off of her album “Vows” just re-released in the U.S. this week.

However, she did slow things down with “Old Flame,” which showcased her knack for using those textures in her alto voice in favor of deep R&B ballads. But it was “Plain Gold Ring” that connected her with longtime fans. It’s the song she introduced as “the one that started it all.” Since working toward the release of “Vows,” it was this thick, smoky jazz tune that has given Kimbra her X-factor, and there wasn’t an inkling of disapproval in the room during its performance. Intensely twisting melodies with her eyes mostly closed, she led her fans who all sang along.

Being the new international face in pop meant she also had to tote some of her U.S. cred, and that’s when she busted out “Warrior,” a bonus track on the new album and a song she had collaboratively written with Mark Foster and A-Trak. Her true pop colors shone when she broke out the irresistible “Cameo Lover.” If Kimbra’s radiant persona didn’t brighten up the room before, the song’s sparkling riffs, staccato strings, percolating beats and a burning chorus quickly lit the fire out on the dance floor.

She then took the tempo down again with “Withdraw,” but it didn’t take her long to jump head first into the funk-infused rock tune “Come Into My Head” afterward.

It may have taken a famous duet for Kimbra to gain attention, but she’s been hard at work since the age of 17 and she’s finally read to take over the pop genre one song (and one dress) at a time. She’s got vocal chops of Christina Aguilera and she’s got the style of Lady Gaga (although a bit more subdued), and right now she’s the perfect balance of pop diva and pop darling.