KIWANUKA

High 2

Mir fällt nix ein was ich schreiben könnte. Das Album zeichnet sich durch nichts aus.

This is the music that black man is playing when you get picked up hitch hiking.

not as good as Joni Mitchell’s Blue

somewhat sterile in a Mercury Prize sort of way (lol). but undeniably very well produced and engineered. maybe a bit too pristine for me to really have a visceral reaction to it.

Dnf

Didn’t do it for me but I liked the sound overall.

His music has a lot of views. It is personally not my type of genre that I listen to, but it was not horrible music. I could listen to it as background music.

Bit too slow for my taste.

I have nothing to say about this album. I just don't think it was for me.

don't get

I was going to make some quip about this guy for this review, but I don't know anything about him or his music, so I've got nothing

Leans a bit too chill for me but overall fine for something to have on while doing things. Got way too samey as it went on, kind of forgot it was even playing.

Great lyrical themes, but this is a heavily front-loaded album that really drags in the second half. It also feels like all of the artist's attention went to the pervasive production rather than the music, which is half-hearted and derivative. As for the aforementioned production, it's overdone and grating. I know all the fuzz was intentional, but it's just annoying and further detracts from the album. 2.0/5.0: Disappointing

A new artist for me but music that was just okay. Its not that I dislike it, more that it doesn't have anything that would make me want to seek it out or add it to any playlists. Songs that I might hear on the radio and think nothing of.

This started well, then dropped quickly into tedium. It's frustrating, it's almost good, but stops just short like it's doing it on purpose, refusing to shine.

Not for me. Like him as a musician and a person, but find his albums derivative and too bland for my own taste.

meh

🥇hero 🥈final days 🥉living in denial HM: rolling, i’ve been dazed

Not for me

not my jam

I did not find this very compelling at all. A few interesting little tiddlywinks but overall this one just kinda washed over me.

not my favorite

It seems like I should like the album but it does feel like background soul music. It's not really super smooth, but it also doesn't have the bite of funk, or the pain of blues.

The guys got a nice voice and I liked a handful of songs, most of them were just background tier for me though. If there was a 2.5 stars, I'd give it that. Didn't dislike it, there just weren't a lot of songs that I liked, and really none that I liked *a lot*.

Kiwanuka? I hardly know her. This was perfectly nice. It would take an awful curmudgeon to take strongly against it. 2.5 I have never heard of Michael Kiwanuka before. That’s what I get for not caring who’s been nominated for the Mercury Music Prize for the last twenty years. You can see why Mr Kiwanuka has been nominated multiple times (winning for this). The arrangements are neat and the use of backing vocals and strings is very well judged - tasteful. Retro reverb filters on everything that will take them. Nice drums and bass. Nice singing. Nice extended chords. This album has as nicely dressed a window as your granny could have managed with all the lace in the shop and her pick of the roses. Sadly though, once you are in the house it’s beige wallpaper from bottom to top. Ah Granny. Kiwanuka’s shapeless lyrics about nothing much are best ignored altogether but unfortunately, not having taken the recommended amount of alcohol beforehand (‘As a Mercury Music Prize panel member’) I made the mistake of listening to them, then reading them. The melodies are sweet nothing. The hooks efficient but immediately forgettable. Kiwanuka isn’t untalented, but he has nothing to say. Anyway he has a Mercury Music Prize now, which tends to be the main thing for most Mercury Music Prize winners. 1.5/5

It was ok. I wanted to like it more.

Jazz bar

Not bad but felt a little boring and derivative to me. Like Roots and Dangermouse

World music? Kinda jazz? Seemed like a good recording. Just not my thing.

This was a mighty fine bore

Got half way through and felixed it. Great first track but not my thing

Snork. Første er god, dermed ikke 1 brunstjerne til denne.

2 stars It wasn’t bad. But I can’t say it really held my attention. It would fit in as the score for a quirky indie comedy in the 2010s. But the kind that you wouldn’t remember the name of a would never pick when it comes up on Netflix.

Started off great. You Ain’t the Problem sounded unique and the production had an interesting sound. But after that, it started to become really, really dull and boring — a chore to finish.

Fine musician. Sounded like Seal to me. Nothing wrong with it, just nothing screaming special either.

Too slow for me personally, though it does sound very atmospheric. I liked the vocals a lot, the instrumental is decent too. Other than that, boring. I'd give it 2/5

i didnt really like it. was a classy sound but not to my taste, really slow and dirgey

I wanted to rate this higher, but there is just so much fat that needs to be trimmed. One song has about 17 seconds of silence as an intro. Other than that, it's pretty mid. Influence 2. Hits 1. Quality 3. Super meh 2.

You Ain't the Problem

Didn’t enjoy this really. found it boring and sounded repetitive to me.

Ei ehkä oikein iskenyt. En jaksanut kuunnella loppuun. 2/5.

This is #day393 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and… as expected, I don't get the hype. When I worked at a local record store five years ago, my then-manager showed me this album along with a Kamasi Washington record, saying something like, "these are modern classics," or whatever. To which I was like, well, okay, you know... Honestly, I probably wouldn't have listened to this one if it weren't for the challenge. I had to turn it off halfway through, I just couldn't. This is a low 2 out of 5. Looking forward to #day394.

I liked the vibe nice jazzy chill my kinda vibe. Not many above average songs tho but ok

not his best

Bit of a snooze

Meh

Mostly fine. Kinda faded into the background a little bit.

chiller and more rnb ish vibe than i usually listen to but enjoyable. really liked piano joint! was good to have on while journaling:)

Not at all what I expected off a “soul” album or at least thats what apple music says. Has a couple noteable songs the opener, rollin and hard to say goodbye were some of my favorites. But overall it felt dynamically to wacky, as it was drifting in and out of multiple genres and tones. I especially didnt like this since Michael Kiwanuka has a beautiful voice and I really just wanted to hear him sing. I wanted more smooth intense feels but was left with more deadspace. Overall I didnt hate it was just expecting more.

Looks like this album received a great deal of critical acclaim back in 2019. Of course, we know that critical acclaim and award nominations are utterly meaningless when it comes to how an album will be remembered in the future. This album is "safe", but hardly essential. I couldn't find anything thrilling about it and would place it on a map not in the middle of the road, but the middle of the cul-de-sac. Far better contemporary albums that could be considered "must-listen"s would be Kamasi Washington's Jazz-Pop wonder, "Heaven and Earth" or Mac DeMarco's eclectic Soul gem, "Here Comes the Cowboy."

Not my cup of tea.

cool but probably would listen to again a little radio-ish

The overall listening experience falters as tracks begin to blur into one another. Despite its artistry and polish, the album’s pacing and recurring musical motifs make it feel repetitive by the halfway mark. While undeniably stylish and heartfelt, Kiwanuka lacks the dynamism to sustain its impact. A beautiful voice in a beautifully crafted setting—but one that could use a little more variety.

I was expecting another African world music album. That's not what this is. It has, in several places, a sort of seventies blaxploitation feel, on the whole for what it is it's OK. Can't see myself buying it or even playing it again. Not quite worth a 3 though, so just a 2.

A bit too deep for me

meh 2/5

is ok, not really my vibe i think it's chill haha, just not what i look for in music i think, or at least today LOL

It was fine, didn't get much out of it. He's great at the pace/transition of the album Rating: 2.4

The music surprised me.

..

Pretty, soulful and light. Not sure if it’s for me though.

I didn't mind the first song, it reminded me of the ok parts of Red Hot Chilli Pepper songs, but after that I lt didn't hold my interest, I can see how it's enjoyable but it's not for me.

No sure why this getting such good rating, there are some good tracks but its mostly meh for me.

Some good tunes but not top of my list

You Ain't the Problem

This was boring.

Heard it before. It's quite alright but lacks something special that'd make me appreciate it more 2/5

I didn't care for this. I couldnt get past the first song.

Not bad, a bit psychedelic, but full of strings and horns. Not my style. Even more, it is sometimes disturbing (see Hero). But it may be my mood right now.

BORING!

Pixie looks like he enjoys the first song! Me and Nata chicken are high enjoying icecream vanilla\! And we watched the Minecraft Movie today 2025, it was a really fun chaotic time, the children yearn for the mines!!!

Nice voice, kinda boring.

I don't like this album because I don't like the genre of music it is and I also don't like the beat the melody is. I would not recommend this album to someone else because I don't think they would like this type of rockish music.I give it 2 stars out of 5.

the song started off strong ig because it had like a good beat and the background music but when he started singing it was uh buns but everything else was good. the second song started off good because the beat is good the voice sounded better in this song the lyrics are something they're not really good tbh

Cracking little soul album this.

No aplico a la legión de fans que profesan sus acordes

While not a bad album, not sure what makes this “special”

Not his best work

Nahh

I liked most of the melodies and instrumentation but didn’t like the dudes voice or how he sings.

I didn’t like this much at all.

Saved one song. Not a bad listen.

Boring

An amalgam of Little Simz-esque production, with just some regular vocals. Few engaging tracks, but was just bored. Tracks became stale, needed more flair. Favourite tracks: Piano Joint (This Kind of Love), Hero, Hard To Say Goodbye,

gets a bit of play on radio 6 so familiar with the name and a couple of tracks, solid enough but only one song i really connected with.

Ikke lige min type m usik så kommer nok ikke til at lytte til det igen. Men det var 100% en spændene og anderledes oplevelse

Atmospheric but felt that nothing jumped out at me as what makes this a top album.

Really didn’t do it for me, just sounded kinda below average overa

Not sure whose ears aren't working right, but I'm not hearing anything to justify it being added to the 1001 albums list. Then again, given how much I've already heard so far from the list that's average at best, maybe it fits perfectly in there. The musical compositions are good, but not exceptional. There's nothing in the songs that other artists haven't done & better. His vocals are okay, but I'm not feeling any emotions coming across from his delivery. It reminds me of that line from Rob Gordon in High Fidelity, where he says, "I just want something I can ignore." This album would be ideal if that's all you want.

Apparently Michael supported Adele, and I can totally see that. It’s okay but not really my sort of thing.

He's clearly got a lovely voice, and this is very well produced and executed, but overall it's so background that it very nearly put me to sleep... Considering I was on the A1 at the time, that's not a good thing!

2019???? What in the sweet hell are you talking about? 6.4 million monthly listeners. Jesus Christ. Uhhh. Well I have no earthly idea what this is. Let’s give it a whirl. Interesting opening. Fluttery piano. Vocals are loud and a little blah, but nothing terrible. Percussion and glitchy instrumentation is alright. I’m not a “La La La” man, so that can go. This was ok. I like the guitar on track 2. The chorus is decent. The background interjections are pretty good. I like this one. Not for me bud. This sounds like the boring part of “Feel like Makin’ Love” has been slowed down to be played on vinyl in $3500 a month apartments in walkable, trendsetting neighbourhoods with multiple DIY pinball arcades. Pass. Cool minor piano keys. Return to form. Interesting soundscapes all over this track. Pitch shifted vocals work pretty well with the overall vibe. At least I think their pitch shifted. Jesus. This could be the reanimated Barry White, popping in for a post-mortem feature. That was just an intro. Now the real track. Piano joint. That could mean a piano song or a piano bar. I don’t love his singing, honestly. Something missing there. Boring rhyme scheme. The music is excellent though. Cool jazz with odd sounds. I wish the vocals would disappear. Ambient track with samples of quotes. I like it. No vocals means I’m happy. Jeeeez the vocals. Gets too FAHHHH. Bad news. All around forgettable and grating. “Hero” was ok. That’s all. This song will be very easy to say goodbye to. Never come back. Although Spotify DJ will play this one forever, because Spotify users don’t experiment. They only listen to songs they enjoy and I pay the price. No singing!! So far. That’s good. More of the cool soundscapes. Oh there it is. Terrible. The website broke so you miss out on my incisive commentary for the last few tracks. Well. Listen. This album had some incredible moments. Some of the lush, modern soundscapes were excellent. The vocals and feel were not for me. I thought some songs droned on too long and I could’ve used more variety in the vocal delivery or tone. Decent, but too grating to be called good. 2-2.5 HIGHLIGHTS: Rolling, Another Human Being,

Funky

Always ranking things relatively on here so don't pay this too much mind, this is pretty, but didn't do very much for me today tbh

209/1001 🌕🌕🌗🌑🌑

I thought this record was interesting. Nothing I'd normally listen to, but there are elements about it I like. I thought the the rhythm section was really strong and I enjoyed his vocals throughout the record. However, with some filler songs and some weaker songs, I think I'd have to give this album a 2/5 but I did enjoy my time with it.

Surprised to see such a recent album on this website. Did this actually make it into any of the books? I enjoy these midsummery, daydreamy kinds of albums, though none of the genres featured on this one resonate with me all that much. The experience of listening to this was much snoozier than I would have preferred, though it may be possible for me to come around to it on my mandatory relisten

This is a true critics' album. I don't know a single person who listens to this nor do I ever see it being discussed in online music communities, or in the mainstream really. The kind of album you only hear about when the year-end list season comes around.

Really laid back, but good.

This was ok. Didn't really like it though.

Not my cup of tea

not bad not good either imo not keen on slow songs few good songs in there tho

i like piano joint, not the intro. also like hard to say goodbye near the end. i like interlude loving the people. not playlist worthy. didnt listen to light which is the last song because i got bored and couldnt be bothered.

first track 7/10 second track 8/10 third 4/10 fourth and fifth 5,23/10 sixth 10/14 seventh 3,14159/5 for sampling eighth 10/10 nineth 1/10 kein bock mehr

The first 15 seconds of the first song sound like Curtis Mayfield and then the album falls directly off a cliff and never recovers. The comments on YouTube are all “I found this song through a Gap commercial!!1” and that sums this album up perfectly. This has no edge or rawness. This is rounded off, safe, soul Muzak. This is music for a Gap commercial or Sirius XM The Spectrum or NPR. Or British people. I guess the British could listen to this on their wireless while the kettle is on and feel super soulful. Good job, Brits. You guys sure are funky.

Strong 1 track, expected more of that uplifting sound which I did not get the rest of the album. Good but not my cup of tea

I don't hate it. Nothing of any real interest though.

Underwhelming

Naahh, not really for me.

Me aburrí

Best song: Vibes: berkeley, Nathaniel Radcliff/Leon Bridges style rock, big production Themes: violence, love

I like it, but it’s not blowing me away for some reason. Should be great, but is lacking soul? Sounds like movie/tv show soundtrack music.

Not really for me. I did really enjoy the track "Hero" though.

An easy listen, but I feel the sounds were very forgettable. Like listening to a song on a hotel speaker, I did not hate the noise, but knew I wouldn't be able to name a song.

Calm and chilling music, but nothing that seemed really memorable or notable.

Very listenable but not notable. Hero is my favorite track but this didn't speak to me.

you ain’t the problem - bop, 7/10, added to bops rolling- boring i’ve been dazed- boring piano joint intro- interesting piano joint- i like, cool when drums come in, piano is nice, would be fun to learn to sit and play another human being- poem piece living in denial- a little boring, 5/10, has sections but is easy to zone out hero intro- no hero- boring hard to say goodbye- really long intro, fun once it starts, a little repetitive, it’s cute tho final days- trippy intro, very generic interlude- just talking solid ground- potential solo song??? interesting, drums come in at end light- boring overall album- 4/10

I was hoping from the opener that this would be pretty funky but a lot of the tracks gave me [dude band from 90s-early 00s that you probably hear on rock radio or something] vibes which I find less interesting.

It’s ok.

On selvää, että tämä artisti tuntee, kokee ja haltioituu ideoista, erityisesti 70-lukulaisuudesta. Sääli, että hän on melodikkona melko avuton.

Interesting. Didn’t dislike it but it was a little boring

Not an offensive album. Is prefect background music. I liked most of them but this looses a star because hard to say goodbye takes far too long to start with the vocals could have cut 90 seconds from the start of the song and another minute at the end. And that isn't the only one that takes too long to get going

Kiwa

Best ROCK album??…. Nah.

Don't like african "accent" at all.

I like his voice. Odd mix of songs the album. Ethereal

I like it a lot. But I have given so many better albums a 3 that this needs to be a 2. But still way better than Cee Lo Green.

Irgendwie okay aber es plätscherte auch sehr belanglos vor sich hin und es ist nichts hängen geblieben.

Some interesting soundscapes.

Not really for me

There were a couple of tracks I liked, but overall not my cup of tea.

Nah not really my style but some sounds was fine

didn't listen to the whole album. not my fav tho. felt country at times? gross. cool album art

Pas fan de la voix et coté "old school rock", mais pas mauvais pour autant, trop "reggae" + sonorités répétitives ... c'est long 4/10 ?

Fairly underwhelming. Flat performances and songs, and it's not really enhanced by the straightforward production, albeit professional.

Interesting, but not feeling it.

Ok. Fell asleep.

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

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

Ok

Ok..

Fine. Lasted longer then my interest in it.

Nope. 2 stars.

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’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.

Viel tegen

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

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.

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

Not super impressed, minimalist and repetitive lyrics

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

This album was nominated for a Rpck Grammy? WTF is that? I didn’t really hear any real rocknroll. That said, disappointing compared To other Kiwanuka tunes I enjoy.

I hate modern music

Soothing Contemporary.

Not my kind of music

[08/09/2022] The most recently released album yet, 2019. I had never heard of this artist before and I don’t think I had ever listened to one of his songs. The album was mediocre to me, but it wasn’t bad. The last 3-5 songs are better in my opinion. It has an interesting sound and despite the fact that I like chill music, maybe this was too chill for me. I think the goal here was this very simple, stripped back sound and slower rhythm. It’s just not my cup of tea. I like his voice though. Just too simple or repetitive for me personally.

A feel good album with some decent music but all sounds very similar but as it falls under a very constricting gentle of music which is soul it exceeds and even updates the music to a newer and refreshing state of experimental and old coming together

2.5. Not at all what i expected based on the album cover. Really good.

Michael snoozanuka

Boring

Sorry was not that good to my ear. I wanted to like it but could not.

This is singer-songwriter Michael Kiwanuka's third album. It's an indie folk rock album that was highly acclaimed by critics and average listeners. This is another album that contains music which isn't my preferred genre, so I'm not part of the majority that loves this album. The album was relaxing and had a few interesting songs, but I probably wouldn't listen to it again.

I found this album a bit like sliced white bread - it's not offensive, but equally doesn't really stand out in any way. Fine if listened to with something else going on - perfect dinner party music. I wouldn't reach for the off switch if it came on, but won't be adding it to my collection.

"ooh, we really need some recent releases on the must hear list. This one is recent, and won any award. Better stick it on the list." I don't think many people will remember this record in 10 years time. It's ok, but is it a must listen? I mean, he's got a great voice, and can write a song, and play guitar well enough. the Danger Mouse production leaves me a little non-plussed. It just sounds like... a Danger Mouse production. This is an OK album that really doesn't belong on this list.

Dull.

It was ok

Jools Holland shit.

Not for me

i guess i didn't not like it but it wasn't anything special.

Fun summery vibe, good to dance to. Fav song is ‘Rolling’.

1.4/5 Yawn. It's not awful to listen too, it's just boring and uninteresting.

imagine dragons and thundercat vibes, maybe it just didn't match my mood idk

Background music at best.

nothing of note here. this album was pretty boring and didnt sound great

Top track: Hero Nice voice, but not enough interesting songs.

I did not like it

Lovely, but didn't throw me away

Ah. A Mercury prize winner. This is about as essential as pouring bleach into your ears which is what I felt like doing. Dull. And mediocre. Like a mild headache that’s just there but isn’t enough for a Panadol to stop. Just there as an irritant. Actually the first track is ok. Oh and Danger mouse produced. Three words you can put in the right order. Sake. For. Fucks. 1 mark for a good first track. .5 for a predictable and dull album. 1.5

I came home really looking forward to having something good to listen to, false hopes dashed on the rocks of my looming dementia. Seriously, what was I thinking.? I just had to, I mean had to press the stop button.

No good.

NO AGAIN

One of the blandest things I have ever heard.

no

CONCEITED.

I think this is just an ad for this album :/

Bad mix

There's a certain type of music that contains really bass heavy synth sounds in the background that doesn't vibe with me. I really wish it didn't bother me so much

Nice

I don't like this song because there are no words at the start. I would not recommend it. I don't like this song because it is very sad. I would not recommend this song. I don't like this song because the beat was not that good. I would not recommend this song

i dont like this one because it has a long intro and its not a song i would listen too the second is the same as the first one to long of a intro the third one i dont like ethier

Das Album Kiwanuka von Michael Kiwanuka, erschienen 2019, wurde in mehreren renommierten Studios aufgenommen, darunter die RAK Studios in London sowie die Studios von Produzent Danger Mouse in Los Angeles. Der britische Musiker mit ugandischen Wurzeln setzt mit diesem Werk seinen Stil zwischen Soul, Psychedelic Rock und Rhythm & Blues konsequent fort. Die Produktion zeigt einen warmen, analogen Klang, bei dem der Einsatz von Vintage-Instrumenten und zurückhaltenden Effekten eine besondere Atmosphäre schafft. Das Zusammenspiel aus Gesang, Gitarrenarbeit und detailreicher Rhythmik wirkt gut aufeinander abgestimmt und unterstützt die inhaltlich oft nachdenklichen Texte. Zu den besonders bemerkenswerten Songs zählen „You Ain’t the Problem“, das mit seinem treibenden Groove als Auftakt dient, sowie „Hero“, das durch seine Gitarrenarbeit und die reduzierte Struktur auffällt. Auch „Piano Joint (This Kind of Love)“ zeigt eine ruhigere, intime Seite des Albums. Kiwanuka ist ein Album, das sich Zeit nimmt und von einem klaren künstlerischen Anspruch geprägt ist. Es bietet eine dichte Klanglandschaft, die sich gut für konzentriertes Hören eignet. Das Werk wirkt persönlich, ohne sich dabei in Selbstdarstellung zu verlieren, und findet eine gelungene Balance zwischen musikalischem Handwerk und Ausdruck.

Nicht gefallen, nicht alles gehört

Awful racist

No

Noisy instruments with no music, no singing. Who likes this! 1/5

I keep double checking that this album was released in 2019. It was....but it never sways from the 1960s/1970s British pop/rock sound. That crisp guitar distortion of a Tele or Gretsch through an overdriven Vox or Marshall amp is the unmistakable sound of The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Kinks, The Outsiders, etc. etc. etc. And the acoustic guitar on top of a string arrangement with layered female backup vocalists in the background IS the sound of the 70's. This guy is nothing new. Even within what was a worldwide revolution in sound at the time, he finds a way to be boring. I have to admit, everytime I go down the road of listening to a British "R&B" or "Soul” artist, I finish wishing they had left those genres to the Americans, whose rugged, raw, and gritty blues and soul artists/music tower over the well meaning but polite and sterile British versions.

Zzzzzzzz

Eh...

Nope

Another unknown artist and album for me. My expectations were not high but I try not to judge a book by the cover. Although this has a few moments that I like and I didn't mind just having it on as background noise while working, it's not something I'll revisit again.

No

Too generic.

Just not my type of music. I tried but couldn’t even finish it.

No 👎

Nope, not my thing at all.

I really did not like that one i coulsnt fully listen to it as i was just so bored of it. Would not listen tp again thpugh it might be bcz its all to fuzzy to me but yeah wouldnt listen to again 1/5

Not great

not for me

Not my cup of tea

Not my thing

Uninspiriertes lala.

Did not enjoy