Muso's Guide - Displaying items by tag: Michael Kiwanuka

Michael Kiwanuka - Love & Hate

01 July, 2016
Published in Albums

Michael Kiwanuka returns after a four year recording absence to deliver Love & Hate. The follow up to the Londoner's successful debut Home Again, is a sure sign that Kiwanuka is reaching for higher ground and the pride for his own work hasn't diminished since 2012.

Record opener 'Cold Little Heart' is a slow and powerful introduction that is constantly begging the question, where is this track going next? While hanging on for Kiwanuka's uniquely gritty and soulful voice, tasteful strings build up the anticipation for what is a cleverly strategic way to introduce this follow up album.

Combining strong lyrical content with a laid back approach, Kiwanuka has earned a sound that would fit contently among some of Soul's biggest players. First single 'Black Man in a White World' explores a racial prejudice that has become all too familiar within the so called civilised society that we find ourselves in yet remains an upbeat addition to this record.

The instrumentation throughout is never far from being easily mistaken for a recording session in the 60s. Strong group female backing vocals only add to this preconceived idea that, this is what it takes to imitate the likes of Ray Charles or Otis Redding, but in Kiwanuka's case, it just works.

It's fair to say that the 29 year old has aged with grace and delicacy since his debut. Love & Hate tends to rely on the output as a whole whereas Home Again was heavily reliant on Kiwanuka's solo delivery. This time round, distorted guitar solos flirt lustfully with orchestral prowess and Motown reminiscence is never far from ear shot.

'One More Night' is Kiwanuka at his best. Bold, understated and seeking the perfect blend of old and modern influenced brilliance. While the musician has become well recognised for such qualities through both sensual and driving songs, Love & Hate displays this artist in the best possible light. Full of charisma with a wealth of musical knowledge that any modern day imitation would be lucky to obtain, Michael Kiwanuka is our own musical time machine.

Love & Hate is available via Amazon & iTunes.

Michael Kiwanuka - Home Again

23 March, 2012
Published in Albums

In recent years, being named the BBC Sound of 2012 winner has had mixed results; Adele, Jessie J and Ellie Goulding finding success while The Bravery and Mika’s rise to fame fizzled out soon afterwards. With that in mind, Michael Kiwanuka must be wondering which side of the coin his career will fall on.

His debut album Home Again is a good indicator of where his fate lies. It’s a collection of soulful jazz-tinged folk songs held together by Kiwanuka’s expressive voice – a voice that belies his 24 years. Already drawing comparisons to Bill Withers and Otis Redding, it’s not hard to see the similarities; his vocal is smooth and rich – and it oozes soul.

You only need to listen to the title track and first single he released to see (or rather hear) this. But there’s also the spiritual soul-searching in ‘I Won’t Lie’, with its simple composition; and the stripped back ‘Worry Walks Beside Me’ where Kiwanuka’s voice shines through.

His sound is undoubtedly retro; no more can this be found on tracks like ‘I’ll Get Along’ and ‘Tell Me A Tale’, both of which wouldn’t seem out of place on the soundtrack to a ‘70s American sitcom what with the jazzy flute riffs and jaunty keyboards. Despite these two tracks lifting the mood of the album, the rest of it shows Kiwanuka with a rather unsettled disposition. At times the songs verge on gospel, and there’s a real feeling of him not quite at peace with himself.

Overall Home Again is a pleasant listen; the song arrangements are good, the lyrics meaningful - and Kiwanuka’s voice is outstanding. But it’s hard not to feel that there could have been more. Yes, it sounds like something from the ‘70s, yes it has mass appeal. What would have been nice is a more modern twist on this soul sound, though. Nevertheless, as a debut, Michael Kiwanuka has scored well with Home Again, and if this is something he can build on in his career, it looks like he’ll do well – and perhaps find some of that peace he’s looking for.