KIWANUKA

A pleasant retro sounding album. It passed me by without making me feel much.

This is GREAT! Never heard of this artist before and I am getting strong TV on the Radio vibes but a little more chill. It's modern but has touches of classic 60's rock. It's recorded perfectly too. DAMN this is good. This is a banger and I am now following this dude on Spotify.

Once again, today’s album is by a person I’d never heard of before. It seems that this is one of the newer albums from 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die, released in only 2019. I’m interested to hear how this sounds, as there are not many albums from the 2010’s at all that were deemed worthy. Songs I already knew: none Favourites: You Ain’t The Problem, Hero I liked every song on this album, but I wouldn’t say I loved any. There is a nice mix of upbeat funkier songs as well as softer soul tracks. His music reminds me a lot of Childish Gambino, but with singing instead of rapping. It is quite Motown-esque with a stylised retro sound. Overall, I did enjoy this. Give it a try.

Maaaaan that was SUPERB! A beautiful soulful super-musical melting pot of numerous genres. Stunning.

5-

I was not familiar with this record before this listen, and I am not sure how I missed it. What a beautiful, deep, and soulful record touching on so much of our human condition. I love the production and the songs are remarkable. A great find and a great, great record.

Familiarity: 6/10 Classic souls energy, a modern twist on important foundations. True Rating: 7.5/10

A genre-defying masterpiece. I've never heard of Michael Kiwanuka, but this album blew me away. Every track was outstanding, and I loved how each one segued into the next. As unique and different as each song was, the album still managed to feel incredibly cohesive. Instrumentally, each song was incredibly complex and beautiful, and Michael's rich voice fit perfectly into each song. This is an album that I will definitely be visiting again soon.

Not bad.

Great record, full of soul

Good

Ush… se me borró pero ke cosa tan bonita este album, también con mensaje muy fuerte pero bello, se siente bontio. Another human es una canción que se siente un abrazo. Yo no se mucho de arreglos musicales pero no manches que bello suenan las pistas.

4/5 Best: I've Been Dazed Worst: Hard to Say Goodbye

Gostei muito!

Algunas ideas que me gustaron pero le faltó. Es un 2.5 que redondea para abajo por ser lunes.

Surprisingly good, will listen again

Pas trop aimé, pas mon style

Very nice. Loved the production/sound. Excited about the song “Hero”.

Started WAY strong! And mostly stayed there. This is the perfect assignment for me, because I had no idea whatsoever what genre, decade, country, etc before listening. I got several songs in before I realized it wasn't from the 70s like I first assumed. Great sound, great voice, great production, great messages.

Excellent jazz. J'ai notamment beaucoup aimé Piano Joint

Bon album de soul, se laissait vraiment écouter tout seul, même un peut trop : c'était un tantinet unidimensionnel comme musique, pas vraiment de surprise. Aucun mauvais passage, mais pas vraiment non plus qui se démarquait. 7/10

bom

Not in my edition of the book! 2019. 3 stars. Well done indie soul-rock, but lacking standout songs. Not sure it is essential listening.

The music is really good. Overall would be perfect for a breakup.

Not great

This is an excellent contemporary soul album and it's something I didn't even know I wanted. Great listen.

Joya

chill vibe, but not really interesting, fuzzy sound, over-orchestration

Surprisingly good!

Favourites: • You Ain't the Problem • Final Days

Un excelente album, con performances extraordinarias y una producción perfecta. Un disco que cimenta la posición de Kiwanuka como el representante del soul británico.

Wow. This is a really incredible album. The lyricism, the guitar melodies, it all just works together. You can feel a lot of different influences here, but it's also clear that this will itself be an influential album long into the future.

this was really good, a few too many tracks and some of the slower songs weren’t my taste but overall I really enjoyed it.

Yeah this is really good, it has an authentic, enriching sound, it's genuine, it's thought-provoking, just a good listen. 4.

Yeah, this is great. Beautiful sound almost throughout, great atmosphere to it, and a lovely warm voice. Could listen to this all day (and am, currently on my backtobacktoback listen of having this on whilst working). Fun mix of upbeat and downbeat, some really reflective stuff, great lyrics, some a bit more fun. 4/5.

Extremely solid album - damn

Well this was lovely, with lush arrangements and an atmospheric, retro feel. I enjoyed it quite a bit. Fave Songs: Hard to Say Goodbye, Final Days, Living in Denial, Hero, I've Been Dazed, Piano Joint (This Kind of Love)

KIWANUKA by Michael Kiwanuka is an album that offers a blend of soulful introspection and musical exploration. Released in 2019, it ventures into themes of self-discovery and societal reflections. Tracks like "You Ain't The Problem" and "Hero" showcase Kiwanuka's emotive vocals and thoughtful songwriting. The album's production is intricate, weaving folk, R&B, and rock influences. While the thematic depth is commendable, some tracks feel slightly repetitive and don't maintain the initial engagement. Despite its artistic merits, KIWANUKA's pacing and consistency fall a bit short for my taste. While it doesn't achieve the same cohesion throughout, it still captures Kiwanuka's growth as an artist, even though it might not consistently resonate as strongly as anticipated.

It was really nice journey through varied and rich music with pleasant voice. Out of 8 post 2010 albums so far this one of the best if not the best.

This feels so classic and so fresh all at the same time! His voice is so beautiful and warm and the instrumentation is so full. I love seeing stuff on here that is more recent.

Wow. Never heard of this guy before but I'm loving this album.

Nuuike

Some very weak songs - and some very strong!

🧝🏻‍♂️

Funky, groovy, sad. Love the distorted guitar riffs and deep bass patterns. The album flows really nicely with incredible sequencing and transitions between tracks. This is shown through several outstanding interludes and intro tracks which create incredible soundscapes of minimalist drums and soulful vocals. The whole project creates this melancholic but dramatic atmosphere. The back end of the record has a beautiful 5-track run of hazy soul ballads encased in dense layers of orchestration. Feels like: Standing on a mountain looking over the world. Favorites: I've Been Dazed, Hard to Say Goodbye, Final Days, Solid Ground, Light

nice

4.5/5. I didn’t know what to expect from this one, pleasantly surprised. Hard to define what genre this falls under but I suppose that’s part of the charm.

This was an interesting album. When I started listening I felt that it was something that should sit well with me, but for some reason I just didn't like it THAT much. Can't figure out why. But I am still inclined to give it a 4 star rating despite this, somehow I feel that it deserves it. There is so much crap music today, but this stands out as well produced and innovative, even though I don't feel like throwing myself over it again any time soon. Think I will learn to like it if I listen more to it.

A breath of fresh air. Amidst all the rock and 90:s pop this felt different and fresh. I love this type of music so this was right up my alley. Having only heard the great "This cold heart" by Michael Kiwanuka this was only new tracks for me. This was one of these albums that really benefit from being listened to as an album. It just takes some time to get into the groove and if I would have only listening to one track I would have probably forgotten about it and moved on. As a whole it was a great experience, feeling both retro and modern, reminiscent of "St Paul and the Broken Bones" in a good way but with a very different voice. A very strong 4 stars (could be a 5 in the future given more time).

Never heard of this. It was great.

Cool album, I remember when sound opinions got it on my radar

I really liked this 4/5

This album is what I was looking for from this project. I love this album. I love everything about this album. I had never heard anything from the album, didn't know a thing about the artist, didn't know the genre, didn't know anything, and what a guy was a beautiful pleasant surprise. The vibe is outstanding. I could name any song from the album and point it out as a stand out, but for right now I'll say 'I've been dazed'. At times there was a 60s aesthetic, some beautiful orchestra, amazing vocals and wonderful instrumentation. This is an album I was revisit. It's a solid FIVE.

Started off as a banger but kind of trailed off. I do like the vibe though.

Nice but tiresome

Pretty cool.

He lives in Southampton?

Really good.

Une très belle performance de la Kiwanukance qui s'est même permis de faire des intros pour plusieurs chansons alors que rien de l'y obligeait.

Le rappel à l'ordre de Norbert Episode envers la mère de la famille d'accueil de mon camarade d'écoute robtuilière était amplement justifié: cet album était totu bonnement excellent, et ne devait être écouté avant sa génération sous aucun pretexte.

Enjoyed that. An album full of life.

The mix of funk/r&b/ and soul is straight up splendid. Kiwanukas voice is commanding but features all the right pitches from track to track. I’d listen to this one again. A simply excellent piece.

Masterpiece, the feel from A to Z, c'est un voyage ostie Favorite Tracks : You ain't the problem, hard to say goodbye, The Light Rating : 5 / 5

Very soothing voice. Strong album that was a breeze to listen to. I can't recommend it enough when looking for a calm and relaxing time. Light 5/5

I had never heard of this album or artist before today, and wow I was missing out! I will definitely listen to this album again. It's the perfect blend of infectious beats and low-fi vibes.

3,5

Such a pleasant listen. Not only are Kiwanuka's lyrics poignant, the instrumentation is gorgeous. I am very happy to have come across this new album, and I hope to listen to this album many more times.

this was a pleasant album to listen to. i had it on in the background while working and nothing particularly jumped out at me, though i did go back and listen to a few tracks again. favorites: you ain't the problem, solid ground

Unexpectedly great. How have I not come across him before?

I liked it, but i can't say i loved. A lot of the tracks just seem to miss some texture. It sounded good, but at the same time it was nothing spectacular. Some of them where just to mellow and bland, but anytime it picks up the pace a little, they become really good. Like Piano Joint, Hero and Final Days. There is just more going on in these tracks.

A soft groovy album with some nice music, pretty different, I enjoyed my time listening.

good album, not a lot of notes from me, but I enjoyed listening.

Finally some delicious fucking music.

Was surprised it’s a 2019 album! Feels like it’s older (but in a good way)

Originally not a fan but the later tracks are so good!!

Ok

Achei maneiro, pelo menos no começo. Rolling é show. 8/10, massa

Music awards aren’t all bad. In 2020, Michael Kiwanuka won the coveted Mercury Prize for this great record, “KIWANUKA”, released the previous year. At the time I remember all the buzz and was familiar with the opening track, but I’d never listened to the whole album until now. And what a joy it’s been: “KIWANUKA” amounts to a stellar entry in 2010s music, which would have fit snugly within any other decade but still strikes a firmly contemporary chord. Right out the gate, “You Ain’t the Problem” is a winning fusion of great ideas: an instantly memorable hook, with a good old wordless “La La La” refrain, densely packed instrumentals, and bongos! “Rolling” feels like a great classic rock and soul throwback, with an almost swampy guitar riff propelling it forward. Then we segue seamlessly into “I’ve Been Dazed”, with a stunning, gospel-style call-and-response in its second half. Those first three tracks are as good as the 2010’s get: sensational stuff. Other highlights can be found later in the record: “Final Days” has a blissful chorus, music to float through and on top of. “Hero” delicately alludes to civil rights and racial discrimination, over an urgent rhythm and satisfying, overloaded-with-fuzz guitar solo. The closing track, “Light”, is a gently stirring anthem. The whole package is wrapped in gorgeous warm production from Danger Mouse: lovely analogue stylings, great use of saturation, never overdone. My only initial reservation revolved around the interludes and extended intros to several of the tracks, amounting to eight precious minutes (15% of the album!) While these are pleasant interludes, it took me a while to fully appreciate the space they afforded the tracks and I’m not still not sure all four of them are needed. Still, that’s a nitpick: on the whole, this album helped make 2019 a much brighter place to be.

Decent. 3.5/5

not for me

Ok..

Damn, this was SO good! I’d never heard of this guy before but this was amazing. I haven’t heard anything like this before and will definitely be keeping it on my phone.

Super bon, 2019 ayoye, je pense que je suis trop fermé à la nouvelle musique. merci à la liste je vais réécouté c'est certain ! 5

Dès les premières notes, je me suis dit que ça avait le potentiel d'être un 5 étoiles. J'ai adoré l'ambiance feutrée, mais riche. Digne descendant de la soul des années 70.

4.5

Ну как же это супер вкусно и приятно. Киванука просто в сердечке Алкоальбом: хайбол в темном японском помещении

Один из немногих случаев, когда любовь к артисту появилась после случайного прослушивания лайва на Усадьбе Jazz в 2019 году. Было же время... Ламповые фузз-гитарки, Родес-пиано, умеренная хрипотца... Но в общем парень прям заряженный. Тот самый соул, который за счёт этники, вокала и щемящих сердце текстов цепляет за "соул". До мурашек. Это очень крутой альбом. p.s. 2/3 альбомов из первого выпуска подкаста закрыты, йоу

Having only listened to his music in bits and pieces, I knew ahead I liked his music. This album is really good

Aldrig hört talas om. Neoretrosoul? Fan vet, men inte illa alls.

Enjoyed alot

Pretty good stuff. Some songs I liked quite a bit and some kind of grated.

Moderne singer/sognwriter, soulet, folk, roligt, rammende på samme tid

Never heard of this guy before this period jesus some great tracks on here especially rolling. I'll be sure to keep listening to his stuff. He's apparently quite well known in the UK but this is the 1st. I've heard of em but not the last.

"I've been dazed" and "Solid Ground" are my favourite tracks of the album.

Very nice.

I enjoyed it

what a delightful and fresh album! i can say with confidence i enjoyed every aspect of this album. overall, the choice to use the soul genre made it a calming and pensive listen. kiwanuka did use more than just soul, but gosh i loved how much soul was on here. "living in denial" was pure seventies soul! and the beautiful lyrics, too! they could be so insightful. i'm not sure i've ever heard a song with lyrics like "solid ground". i enjoyed this album a lot, especially since it was absolutely an unknown to me going in.

I don't really feel like I had any expectations going into this album, but if I had, this album would have stomped on them! KIWANUKA defies any genre specifics -- it's a little bit folk, a little bit soul, a little bit jazz, a little bit blues, a little bit rock, a little bit pop, a little bit contemporary, and a little bit classic. This is a truly unique addition to the project. Regardless of the genre on any given song, Michael Kiwanuka's vocals are consistently soulful and perfectly gritty throughout, and most of the tracks feel a tad bit ethereal, giving the entire album somewhat of a hypnotic quality. I'm glad for the chance to experience this album! I was captivated by this unique addition throughout the entire playthrough!

Wow. Absolutely WOW. Like many others, I didn't know what to expect and also like them, I was pleasantly surprised by where this journey took me. Soulful, lush, heartfelt, and so, so smooth. I can hardly believe that this is a recent record with how much it feels like an album from the 70s. Wow.

Another one that I was delighted to see appear for me this morning Working again with the dream team of Danger Mouse & Inflo delivers a beautiful blend of genres, and a well sequenced album that is a joy to listen to.

A strong and assertive album where Kiwanuka really finds his voice. I would say I kind of wrote this off when it first came out or maybe just missed it, but it’s actually very good. Definitely not a classic, and borderline whether I’d call it great, but still very good.

OMG did I love this album. Amazing. Loved: Piano Joint (this kind of love).

Nice voice, but I just feel like he doesn’t know what he wants to be? Not one for me I’m afraid.

jako kul album, jeben lik 3.5

There is something to Michaels voice that sucks you in. It is a really nice album, nicely composed. Not something for an everyday listen, but definitely a mood listen.

Parasta bestiä.

симпатичненько

Man I really wanted to rate this guy higher, but he just wasn’t at the level of my other 4s. I was surprised to get such a recent album on here. His voice was impeccable and it isn’t the style I usually listen to so it was interesting. While there are no half stars I would like to give this album a 3.5/5 for the record

genre r&b/soul this is a concept album about a "troubled spirit" finding healing through music but still has undertones of despair and disappointment. you ain't the problem is a really fun upbeat song with unique instrumentals and sounds of a crowd cheering. did some research and found out this song was used as a theme song for the men's football euros in 2020. the song hero is very minimalistic lyric-wise but there's an epic guitar solo that makes it one of the best tracks on the album. there are a lot of references to religion and turning to God for support to get through tough times. one of the best albums from this app so far 9.5/10

Well this was completely unexpected. I think I'll have to listen to his other stuff to know what I think about him, to be honest. But I rather enjoyed this.

Wow....Haven't been aware of this guy. This is brilliant. Reminds me a bit of Shuggie Otis. Great voice. 60s type production. Tunes. Ace.

4.1 - A soulful and tastefully composed collection that showcases the amazing talents of this singer-songwriter. Reminds me somewhat of Sampha. Kiwanuka has a beautiful voice and an expansive, uplifting worldview. I love the intros and interludes between songs that tie everything together. This is the type of record that complements a quiet evening at home, a relaxing dinner party with friends, or a nightcap with a romantic partner. Standouts: the first three tracks, "Solid Ground."

Wow. Very impressed a couple songs in. This guy seems really good. Yeah, that was very cool. Enjoyed it a lot, comfortable 4/5 I think.

KIWANUKA is one of those special albums that sound so genre-bending that it kind of creates it’s whole own musical universe. KIWANUKA envelops you in a warm, ethereal atmosphere. The album opens with "You Ain't The Problem," a powerful song that immediately captured my attention with its infectious groove and Kiwanuka's velvety-smooth vocals. His voice, simultaneously soothing and commanding, resonates with an authenticity that carries throughout the entire album. One of the defining qualities of KIWANUKA is its richly layered instrumentation. The songs are filled with lush arrangements, incorporating elements of gospel, soul, and vintage rock. Tracks like "Piano Joint (This Kind of Love)" and "Hero" feature soul-stirring melodies and sweeping orchestration, reminiscent of classic Motown and Stax Records. This album sounds like a 60s record with modern crisp production quality. Kiwanuka's ability to blend genres and eras like this is very impressive. The album’s big moment is ”Cold Little Heart”, a 10-minute epic that builds gradually, fusing together layers of intricate guitar work, haunting strings, and soulful vocal performance. It's a mesmerizing one that leaves a lasting impression. Lyrically, KIWANUKA delves into themes of identity, self-reflection, and the struggle for acceptance. Tracks like "Rolling" and "Living in Denial" address the complexities of personal growth and navigating one's place in society. This album transcends eras and genres of music in a truly special way. KIWANUKA is one of the most underrated albums of the past decade and one that you really need to hear.

Fantastic combination of old music methodologies with modern jazz and r&B over the top of it. Every song flows gently into the next one.

Þessi er helvíti fín. Renndi tvisvar og hafði mikla ánægju af. Set 4 í dag, en hún gæti hækkað ef ég hlustaði meira. Sem ég held ég geri.

A great voice with some really good tracks. A solid listen all the way through with a small handful of favorites

3.3 Not my usual cup of tea and not many stand out songs (more of a whole album unit) but I like how it's not bounded to any specific genre. Fave songs: Piano Joint, you ain't the problem

Top picks: Piano Joint (This Kind of Love), Living in Denial, Light, Hero.

2020 Mercury Prize winner! First album that I have got from this century. Bongo drums at start of first track. Instantly engaging with Jake-Bugg-esque vocals on the first track, 'You Ain't the Problem [sic]'. They sound like they have had similar production ('Lightning Bolt' and 'You Ain't the Problem'). End of first track simultaneously reminds me of both Mario video games and Keane. Theme of sadness from first three tracks -- throughout whole album. Stylistic change in second track, 'Rolling'. Orchestral accompaniment in 'I've Been Dazed' (excellent feature). 'reputation'-esque production in fourth track (the 'Intro'). Good lyrics -- socially conscious and interesting. Nice singing! A HARP on 'Another Human Being'(!!!!!!!!!!!). Folk sound. An evident 'Parachutes' influence (the Coldplay album) comes through throughout the album. The interlude and 'Solid Ground' effortlessly blend into one. A good, subtle start to 'Solid Ground'. Good ending with a backing choir. Too much holiness on the third track. I am thinking 4 stars. I understand why it won the Mercury Prize (Kiwanuka had been nominated twice before and both were deserving, so it's only fair. However, Laura Marling was nominated for the fourth time in 2020 and she did not win) but a lot of the songs seem to sound the same to me. They are all excellent songs, but folk is not really to my taste; thus, I don't really remember many of the tracks. FINAL THOUGHTS: 9/10. Therefore, 4/5. (Obviously, 9/2 = 4.5, which rounds to 5, but it does not deserve 5 à mon avis).

Not my cup of tea

Another one that snuck up on me. Soul/Funk with a heaping helping of social justice. Beautiful.

Some great songs, but not that consistent. Good singer anyhow.

Bongos! (You ain't the problem) Also just a very groovy song Rolling: Kinda reminds me of MGMT's little dark age in some of the sound effects. Cool though I've been dazed: ooh we roll right through the album! didn't even detect the song change. uplifting and enlightening song! Piano Joint (intro): suspenseful yet groovy Piano Joint: I could learn this on the piano! Living in denial: kinda weird, not my favorite song. Also not a bad song though, just not my jam. Hero: Cool beat! I think the guitar solo would have been really cool if it wasn't so distorted but that's also the sound he's going for Hard to say goodbye: OOHH! That's an intro. If I was making a movie like Baby Driver, I feel like this song would belong in a movie like that, but I have no idea where it would go! Final Days: even though the song is about the last days on the planet, it feels inspiring, like it's our collective first day :) Interlude: The monologue at the start of the song is a good memorial (maybe wrong word - reminder?) of racism Solid Ground: Nice chord progression Overall: First album in this project that I had never heard of, and I'm very glad I did. It has so much going for it: a wide variety of sounds, some jazz influence, and an emotional rollercoaster. Meant to be listened to as a full album, not individual songs. Was a pleasure to listen to, I'll have to remember it for later :D 5/5

10/10 beautiful and endlessly creative definitely gonna hear this guy’s other stuff

Have not heard of Michael Kiwanuka before but I really like the chill feel to this album. A nice mixture of genres and such a great voice. Feel like it would be perfect while having a drink in a cool winebar or speakeasy. Favourite song is Piano Joint. Enjoyed it and will try some of his other work.

I thought his album was really good. I got a very Marvin Gaye/Bill Withers vibe from it.

Really a good record. A different sound than I was expecting. Well written, and performed. Judicious use of instrumentation and background vocals. I’d listen again for sure. But requires a certain mood, a bit subdued/ melancholy.

Fine. Lasted longer then my interest in it.

I was really surprised by this album, thinking I was going to hate it based on the type of music I read it was. But I found it to be fairly enjoyable, although at little disjointed and, at times, a little long. I may have to revist this one.

Not a bad album by any means, just not my thing. Liked a couple of tracks, but some felt boring. I can see how it garnered critical acclaim.

Great vocals. The instrumentals and a few songs are a little boring. You Ain’t the Problem, Rolling, Piano Joint, Hero, and Final Days. 7/10

He no Frankiestein, He hero.

This album felt like a more classical Black Keys, it was decently enjoyable but it didn't grip me other than a couple songs. Hard to Say Goodbye is a fantastic song, plus Piano Joint is good too.

Un negrito chill. Me resulta raro como calificarlo, me gusto eh. Le regalo el 4.

Fab - soulful, joyous

Preferred the previous album, but this is great too

4-/5

Relaxte pop

Brilliant album. Another great album by Michael Kiwanuka

Not bad, couple songs I enjoyed. Rest wasn’t really my thing.

Never heard this album and it's really good. Hard to pin down the genre, but it's so interesting to hear and I will be revisiting it.

Would be perfect background music with a good soul element to it which just makes it really vibey. I could definitely see myself putting this on when revising and just chilling to it: loving the samples and never thought I would enjoy this album.

Pretty alright but still forgettable overall

I really like the mood this album sets. Nice surprise!

Love & Hate has a couple of songs that are individually better, but as a cohesive album this takes the crown.

It's nice but I'm not completely blown away by this

4.5, Michael Kiwanuka makes me feel all sort of warm feelings. It misses just a small bit of something that love & hate has

Great album, extremely soulful!

This album is so, so, so, so close to being a perfect album. A heart-wrenchingly meaningful and beautiful album that does not have a bad moment from start to finish, just a couple hiccups. The album never lets you rest with most songs featuring a mostly natural transition. I say “mostly natural” because there a certain transitions which jolt you into the next song by featuring mismatching instrumentation, or at times audibly skipping into the next song (this could be an error with the streaming platform). Otherwise this album is a complete delight, that I won’t get tired of. 9.5/10

The album has a wide range of interesting instrumentals that I enjoy very much. But the song themselves aren't really for me. He has a very nice voice too, and most the album songs are easily listened and you quickly realize you've listen to most of the album. I've saved a few songs tho : - Hero - Hard to say goodbye - Final days I'm saving the artist, overall it's a nice find.

Love this album. One of my favorites so far

This is a solid album with some really nice tracks on it. I enjoyed it. Some cool videos, too, for a few of the songs. The animated one for "Light" is great.

A very dreamy album by Kiwanuka, taking the concept album to a different level, a more autobiographical healing piece. Michael has a smooth soulful voice that could probably heal anyone's pain. Wouldn't normally have this on my rotation, but an interesting addition to the album list. Best: Hard to Say Goodbye, Solid Ground Worst: Piano Joint (This Kind of Love) (Intro)

Every so often the generator throws up an offering that is blindsiding. This is one of those. No previous knowledge of the artist. The output was totally unexpected and magnificently entertaining. Gloriously time shifting, could be a 60's album, then again it might be 70's and then with a swing upliftingly contemporary. A joy!

Lovely

I always like Danger Mouse's production - even if it has a similar sonic quality regardless of the artist he is working with. It's like a director working with different actors, the films might share visual qualities but the performances are where the talent can craft something unique and interesting. I've never heard Michael Kiwanuka before, but this album is a fantastic introduction. The songwriting is exceptional, and paired with Danger Mouse's signature production the album shines.

This is beautiful, magical soul with an indie slant. I was really enjoying it, but then it just ended at what felt like the halfway point. Unusual to find an album that's too shot here.

I liked everything about this music

I love his sound. Would love to see in concert.

Mooie muziek, mooi gezongen, en gewoon leuke nummers om naar te luisteren. Helaas blijft het hele album erg rustig, waardoor het voor mij net de 5e ster mist. ****

Blues, jazz, soul, rock and ambient elements all combine to create an effortlessly cool, melodic, heartfelt and interesting album that flows beautifully and sounds simultaneously modern and retro. t's easy to see why this album won the Mercury Prize. Rating: 4.5/5 Playlist track: You Ain't The Problem Date listened: 18/04/23

Nope. 2 stars.

Nice soul record. Good production. Great voice.

It doesn't take any risks or bring anything new to the table, it's just a real good album. Tracks blend really well together. He has such a rich voice, it carried a few songs that may have left a bit to be desired otherwise. Fav Track: Piano Joint (fuck i'm a sucker for a piano ballad)

Danger Mouse seriously makes all music turn to gold. The production was seriously one of the best things about this album.

Interesting. Somewhat eclectic. A lot of it sounded like soul to me.

Really got into Love & Hate but somehow this passed me by. Glad this brought it up! Gorgeously layered tracks that never feel impenetrable. Kiwanuka's voice has incredible character, and blends with this slightly dusty production and smooth instrumentation beautifully. Four and a half. Fave track: Piano Joint (This Kind of Love)

A good album? Sure. Some enjoyable melodic and psychy guitar parts, and interesting blending of genres, but overall maybe not blown away by any particular section or the record as a whole. Decent songwriting and hard to rag on the record too hard but not anything I found to be that exceptional. Fave track: Rolling

New to me. More, please.

Michael Kiwanuka is great but this is not his best music.

Rating: 10/10

Very pleasantly surprised by this one, I had seen the cover of it before and thought it looked cool but never gave it a shot. Glad it showed up in the list!

It's really hard to listen contemporary albums and wonder whether they will endure, whether people will look back on it as a classic. I thought when I first heard this album it was one of those albums. In an era of music where so much is mood and ambiance without songs this was a stand out of the year it came out and of the decade it came out in. When I first listened I thought that this could have come out in 1973 and we would still be playing it now. There are few new albums that I listen to over and over again in an era of all I can consume streaming. Indeed, I'm doing this project so my average listen to an album I haven't heard before is sharply tending to zero. This, however, is a beautiful piece of work and I don't hesitate to put it in the top 20% of albums on this list.

Not bad

FINALLY!! This generator gives me an album actually worth my time. The day it was assigned to me I listened to it almost two times, the first time all the way through. And I know, it's more "mainstream" or whatnot, but I'm past the point of letting that determine what I listen to. Anyway, I felt that the songs flowed smoothly from one to the other, and it seems like one of those albums where you don't necessarily have to pay attention to it to enjoy it. The first time listen was also enjoyable, like I mentioned with the accessibility of it. However, KIWANUKA is one I will definitely be going back to. "Solid Ground" stood out to me on first listen, made me want to cry lol.

I’ve never heard of this guy before but this was great. The mix of modern and more retro rock sounds reminded me weirdly of gorillaz - and Wikipedia tells me dangermouse produced this and Demon Days album so I must have picked up on something. The opener and hero are the best songs. The second half of the album is weaker with too many slower song for my liking. Still great though!

Upbeat and jammy. Would listen again if I had a ton of chores to do. Pretty Good through and through

A big reason of why i decided to start the 1001 journey was the chance to discover something that even as a self proclaimed music aficionado i may have missed. "Hidden gems" if you will. The kind of record that after a single listening session can make me scratch my head and think "how did i not listen to this before?" Well, i'm just glad to have found Kiwanuka now.

Great discovery I never heard of

Some superb production levels here. It's pretty decent all around

Was a very good listen. I wasnt expecting it to be as indie as it was and thats right up my alley 4/5

OK

simply a great album all the way through. heard some gorillaz in there every now and then. will definitely seek out more stuff by Michael Kiwanuka

I wasn't sure what to expect with this album and I am glad. Fantastic is all I can say. I need to explore more of Michael Kiwanuka's music

I liked this. Saved one song. I'm going to look into him further.

Agree, very chill.. good background music. When I saw the cover I kinda freaked out a bit cuz it didn't look like something I was going to enjoy. Would definitely listen to it again. 7/10

This was a pretty enjoyable listen. I've never heard of him before, but I like this style a lot. A little slow at times. Great background music, while also the type of act I'd love to see live. No notable takeaways from the album on the first listen but definitely on my list to try again soon. 7/10

Going with... 4.49 rounded down to 4. Wonderful vibe music, just standout tracks are rare... But that's kinda the appeal too. I really really like it and it's def entering the rotation.

So good. Favorite tracks include Rolling and Hero.

Reminiscent of Gorillaz and early 60s James Bond intros. Little too laid back and easy to tune out.

Cracking album, one of the best of 2019. I probably marginally prefer his second album, Love & Hate, but that doesn’t detract from this one in any way, shape or form.

Really wanted to like this based on everyones comments, gave it a few spins this weekend but it just couldn't find an emotional connection to it. 2/5

I really liked the Michael Kiwanuka album as well, I'd heard of him for a long time but I don't think I've ever listened to him before. 4/5.

My favorite album of 2019. It is a masterclass of progressive R&B. It recalls the past and paves a way forward.

What a delightfully lovely album! I am glad to have listened to this today. 4 / 5 stars.

I like this. I’ve never listened to this guy before, but I might listen again.

This was really cool

Listened to on 3/7/23 4/5 Favorite song: the piano joint This album had a lot of different vibes going on but still felt cohesive and well executed!

Very eclectic. Would listen again. Rounding my 3.5 up to a 4 since the whole album was an experience.

Its a 5 compared to the rest of todays music. A 3 or 4 in the list.

The production of this album is just immaculate

Even before I was halfway through this album, I knew it was going to be one of my favorites so far. This is the kind of thing that makes it worth it to try listening to to a randomly assigned album every day. Not all are going to be hits, but this one certainly is. I love when an album can be so many good things at once - musically pleasant while still being interesting, lyrically meaningful, fun and something you want to move to, etc etc etc. Now I want to listen to everything else Michael Kiwanuka has made.

Danger Mouse can trap me in a stereo anytime, buoyed by warm fuzzy strings. Kiwanuka is simply a complete package; It reminds me of Sumney's Aromanticism in that a revisit is absolutely required. The soundscape was just perfect, but there's surely something serious under the glossy packaging. One of those unfairly-ignored-on-release by yours truly albums.

So fucking good, amazing production

I really love this album so was delighted that it appeared on the list to remind me to give it a listen again.

just pressed play and started doing the dishes, “damn! This is funky!” I was enjoying myself and then by the third track I became totally intrigued, “this is so ahead of its time!!” And then I found out it came out 5 years ago lol… an amazing record, so glad I got to catch it, this late inclusion I approve.

This was nice, indie and folky, sort of reminded me of Thom Yorke at points, though maybe it's just because they're both Brits. It was not challenging to listen to, but also not mind-blowing. Just nice.

You Ain't the Problem: nice groove that starts with a distinct Latin flavour. It has a summery, almost mid-70s vibe. Rolling: very insistent rhythm with sprinkles of psychedelia in the keyboard sound and the background vocals. I love Piano Joint. It has that late night, melancholic hopefulness that is so hard to get right and so perfect when it is done right. Living in Denial is Philly Soul without the almost incel-like misogyny that pervaded it. Maybe I'm not making it clear just how fucking wonderful this album is. His voice is bringing soul back. The backing is perfect. Am I a Hero encapsulates why this man is so superior to his contemporaries. He finds a sound and loops it, just like so many acts nowadays. But then he adds a great groove and an awesome vocal with a message. Solid Ground is so simple, his voice and a sparse backing. It feels so sad. Then it builds up to an almost discordant climax. Very effective. Light is nice and bluesy, then that great guitar finishes it off perfectly. It's no surprise that Spotify then went to Bill Withers after this. Michael Kiwanuka is his spiritual successor.

I was familiar with another album from Kiwanuka, but hadn't explored his others. Fucking amazing stuff. Such a voice and the musicality shines through.

Excellent album

Not my kind of music, but I dare say, this is not bad at all! Fresh and original, this one is definitely not a case of “all the tracks sound the same”.

Un mèrit indiscutible ser capaç d'editar tres grans discos de r&b/soul modern sense cap d'ells pugui ser considerada una obra menor. Aquest tercer comença amb una joia com 'You Ain't the Problem' i conté altres cançons amb vocació d'himne com 'Hero' o 'Living in Denial'. No hi ha pràcticament res a esquivar en tot el minutatge

very talented!

La verdad me sorprendió, no conocía ni al album ni al artista pero escucharía más, me gustó mucho las vibraa de la voz y instrumental juntos, no me molestó para nada la falta de un género definido

I’m not a massive fan of his music in general. The best tunes are brilliant but the albums drift into easy listening. This isn’t his best album.

This is a great vibe and it’s nice to see an artist making their own work without chasing a trend.

This was really refreshing. Something new and different. First track was my favorite but I loved the whole thing. Soul and folk! What a combo.

2019! That can only mean... they've updated the book again since I started using the generator :O I already reviewed this album on the Tunelighting podcast so I'll summarise here: - Classic, soulful feel & weighty topics, so can see why it's popular. Seems 'objectively' very good, but I probably respect it more than I enjoy it. - You Ain't The Problem and Hero are terrific. In fact, the more uptempo numbers in general are where this album shines. - Much like Michael's beloved Tottenham Hotspur, the quality is mainly up front. I found the final few tracks a bit lacking. 3.5

Very strong tonally and in terms of mood, and rich and soulful, with dark shadings to add to the intrigue. A winner all the way around – and about right for a Mercury Prize winner. Will be inspired to check out the earlier work.

9th February 2023 Listened in the day while working from home. Bowling at Stroud in the evening. His sound has developed so much since the first album; what a talent. Voice, musicianship, genius.

Really liked the overall feel of this record.

Yasss

Viel tegen

Kende een paar nummers van deze beste man die al best tof waren. Ook deze was eigenlijk gewoon echt goed.

Wat een weergaloos goed album. Diverse sferen en over de gehele linie zeer sterk.

Wat een fijn album zeg!

Mooi, maar niet zo interessant.

I'm into this. very 70's sound. Piano Joint is great tune. Hero is another one. An album that is worth a re-listen, as it kind of went just above my head.

Was first introduced to Michael with his Love and Hate album, such a pleasure to listen to an artist with a backing group that play real instruments. Love many of the arrangements that he has put together on this album, absolutely love the full version of Cold Little Heart with the 5 minute intro. Moya and Martin chillout vibes. The best album up for review yet!!!!!

Great album! My go to album during lockdown. Final days was my top played song that year. Only reason I'm not giving it 5 is because he has an even better album!

Thoroughly enjoyed

Nice chilled out album. Good for a sunny day and some beers!

Mmmmmbop

Not my style, but certainly not bad music

Had this on repeat when it first came out. One of my favourite albums over lockdown. Already part of my frequent rotation not sure if I’ll give it the same rating in 5 years time but for now this is a 5 star album in my book.

I've heard this before and still think it's really bland. Production is nice, his voice is nice, but there aren't enough memorable bits

A noughties soul update of the nineties dinner party vibes as practiced by Morcheeba, Sneaker Pimps et al. And thus three stars. Goes well with garlic bread.

The atmosphere is upbeat and inviting.

magical, mildly epic R&B beats with soulful singing and creative instrumentation

- Cool sound - Psych soul - Bold emphasis with hard distorsion on some tracks - Definitely has its moments - Sounds classic - Feels cherry-bombesque by moments - Feels Little-Simzesque by moments - Boards of Canada feel in Final Days intro - 4.3/5

love it! smooth voice & sounds

PRECIOSO YA ERA HORA 8.5/10

El vaig començar amb ganes, sorprès que se'm passés per alt en el seu moment. Té moments molt interessants i una producció molt acurada, tot i que es fa una mica massa llarg durant la recta final.

My #1 album of 2019!

I really like Michael Kiwanuka, but the album felt like it meandered along quite a bit

Different, there were definitely some bits I really enjoyed. Would check out some of his other stuff

New to this artist but wow, this was excellent. So happy I was able to experience this album with my wife.

Amazing piece of an amazing artist.

🫶🏽

Phenomenal vibes, was a great listen throughout from an artist I’ve never heard of until now surprisingly. Not great enough overall to get a 5/5 from me, but not really any weaknesses I can point to as reason why. Just a great project that’s enjoyable throughout that I feel is lacking something more to make it perfect. Highly recommend

As good as it gets in modern music - I had a couple of these pinned already - top 100 lifetime streams. The rest of the album is just as good. Into the rotation

Michael Kiwanuka is a British singer songwriter from London, with Ugandan roots. Some of this, he showcases in his music (notably the inclusion of African drums in the opening song, You Ain't The Problem). This album deals with feelings of inferiority/not fitting in and racism. Right out of the gate there is a stellar song that touches on how he didn't feel like he was "good enough" compared to other bands/artists at music festivals. This album is one that should be listened to cover to cover. Each song blends into the next beautifully, kind of like a compilation record. I don't really know what genre Michael fits into. Often he genre hops between songs. There is some soul/blues/indie rock and folk sensibilities for sure. For having never heard of Michael before, I thoroughly enjoyed this record!! This is what this album generator experience is all about! Discovering someone new who you've never heard of before, and probably never would have listened to on your own. I enjoyed his stuff so much, I explored his back catalog further after finishing this album today! I will definately listen again!! Favourite songs: Hero (Intro & Song), Rolling, Piano Joint (This Kind of Love)(Intro & song), I've Been Dazed Least favourite songs: Another Human Being 4/5

Listened Before? N I've never heard of this guy. I sort of enjoyed it. Seemed kind of Ed-Sheeran-y in the beginning and then got very mellow for a long time. I wasn't a big fan of "Hero" but I can see the appeal. An okay listen. Added to Library? N Songs added to playlist: You Ain't the Problem

Chill but not very memorable

Not as ambitious or memorable as the masterful Love & Hate, but a great record nonetheless

Me gustó, pero prefiero el disco anterior

Fantastic stuff

very enjoyable haven't listened to any og his stuf before

Slammin'!! A tour de force. Wow, what a great voice with terrific instrumentation. Piano Joint came on with a strong Bill Withers vibe, yet it was completely unique. Sparse piano, quiet background vocals, and strings ornament the luxurious voice of Michael Kiwanuka. Can't really say enough good about this one. I'm excited to find a 5 from an act I've never even heard of!!

Kinda blown away on this... The album has a lot of characteristics of the early 70s soul albums but combines contemporary instruments and recording techniques making this a must-listen. The tone is soft, somber and enlightening. Like nothing I've heard before. A true find all the way through.

I skim a lot of year-end music lists from all the publications looking for best-of clicks. I usually think about how I should make playlists of the songs and artists of the year to go check them out later. But then I don't usually take that step, and repeat the mistake a year later. Thankfully, the 1001 is filling in some of the gaps. Michael Kiwanuka is definitely a name I've seen on those lists, and always meant to check out his music. Now that I have, I'm not sure I get the hype. "KIWANUKA" is a solid album, but I wouldn't call it the instant classic that I have seen it referred to in the music media. Maybe I'll give it another spin or check out his other albums to see if I can figure out what I'm missing.

This man is smoooooooooooooth. Not a bad song on here. For how well Isaac Hayes is in the soul genre, I wish he sounded like this. Mr. Kiwanuka deserves to be heralded as a soul royalty. Of all the actual soul albums we’ve had, this is the best one.

Vibey, groovy. A pleasant listen. Definitely 2-3 songs I'll add to regular rotation. Overall a good album.

SLAYED! Will be returning quite often this year.

very cool

Fine but not memorable

One of those albums that doesn't do anything bad enough to criticize, but nothing good enough to praise. It's pretty average. Pretty boring. Yep. Someone thinks this is somehow a mist hear album. Life is funny.

A real throwback album in that it has influences from a lot of genres but also seems best taken as an album as a whole. Also holds a special place for me as first concert back after the pandemic. At times soft, at times deep, at times rocking. Just a great piece of music.

What a groove! Really liked the opener You Ain't The Problem as well as Rolling, the Piano Joint (intro + song), Living in Denial, and Light. But damn, it's all good.

Hot dang, this is fantastic! One of the best things this list has introduced me to, for sure. Love the atmosphere - love the journey it takes you on, and the way the tracks follow on from each other. Genre and time period distort and blend. It often seems like I'm being reminded of music I can't quite place. Great stuff. Fave track - "You Ain't the Problem" is a great opener. "Piano Joint (This Kind of Love)" and its intro are awesome. Really, though, this feels like a whole album experience, rather than picking out individual tracks...

good!

Huh, this wasn't quite what I was expecting, but also exactly fits? If that makes sense. I think this album was pretty in the middle. For the pros: the way each song is connected is phenomenal, it really makes it feel like such a tightly brought together album, despite the slight change in genres every now and then. The instrumentals are also pretty incredible, and I'd almost say this would really work as an instrumental album in it's entirety, but I'm guessing that's not what got this album such a high average score. As for "negatives", while his voice is impressive, I don't find it very notable, and it actually makes a lot of tracks a bit more of a lull. I also seem to be missing what makes this so important? Yeah, it sounds good, but it just sounds like a 2019 rendition of a style many albums throughout the decades have done just as well. I also don't understand how this won "best rock album", it's not really rock whatsoever, but that isn't this list's fault. It's hard to put into words my issues, but I don't see the fantastic album here. It's alright, and I can see why it's on this list, but I don't take much away from this as a whole. More power to those who did get something from this though, it's gotta have that high score for a reason.

Beautiful

Groovy, easy to listen to, great voice

Fantastic album! A fresh take on classic rock and soul sounds, with great production and introspective lyrics. Personally, this album really meant a lot to me in 2020, with it’s themes of separation, loss, a sense of doom, racial injustice (including the words of the late great John Lewis), but ultimately a sense of hope and perseverance. I still keep coming back to it, too.

Excellent

Artistic combination of Jazz and Soul brought in to the modern era. Music is very expressive through use of effects and space to envelop the listener in its' journey

Top marks for the haunting sample of the Lost Cosmonaut in Final Days. If it's true, it's one of the saddest things I've ever heard.

Love in first song. Need to wait to finish whole album, but already feel like 4 or 5. Never heard of this and I am pleasantly surprised and I love bathing in these retro guitars and instrumentation and his voice... Will skip my list for few days just to repeat this....and gonna call my alternative radio station to ask them what the hell guys, why dont you play some of this??

It’s a very nothing album. Like I got absolutely nothing from listening to this

Modern soul albums always sound better when the sound like they were recorded in the 1960s. I saw him a lifetime ago at Splendour (2012?) and he was good (second on the second stage IIRC) but never followed up by actually listening to the album.

Smoother than I'll ever be. Vaguely timeless.

“Rolling” was the immediate standout track. “I’ve Been Dazed,” “Piano Joint (This Kind of Love,” “Final Days,” and “Hero” were also favorites. Would listen to again.

Yeah Piano Joint has absolutely zero business existing like that

Not super impressed, minimalist and repetitive lyrics

wonderful listen. WIll add to my rotation. Calming voice

Songs hit then I listened to his album Love & Hate which is much better. Still funky fresh and respect the grind. 7/10. Give me a half star goddamnit

Bangers only, solid 4

great top to bottom

Listened to it before a handful of times. very Good from what I remember. I'm a big fan of Michael Kiwanuka, so I'm excited to listen closely this time. So good. Awesome. Loved listening to it from top to bottom.

Really good stuff!

Actually very good, was not expecting this, chilling but interesting, many different genres in it

So old fashioned, but so modern too. Love this.

Мощнейший соул альбом, первая половина которого чуть не заставила меня всплакнуть. Очень впечатлил нетипичный для соула звук, из-за которого каждый трек льётся плавно как вода, не затягивается и постоянно выдаёт что-то новое. Вторая половина, к сожалению, зацепила меня не так сильно, но тем не менее этот альбом строит очень тёплую атмосферу, которая запомнится мне надолго. (8.5)

Pleasant. But not memorable.

Really liked it, want the LP to play it at home

Great album.

Thoroughly enjoyed the jazzy modern soul vibes.

There's nothing wrong with it, orher than it is meh and fades too much into the background. Only a couple tracks caught my attention. 2/5