Reviews (page 2 of 13)
This album is the reason that this project is so interesting yet important to take your time with. I had never heard of Kiwanuka, and the first listen I found it to be decent at best (everything sounded pretty similar) - but, I've already listened to this album 3 times since and it's grown on me each time, going up from a 4 and now finally to a 5. This is an extremely SMART artist, pulling from so many influences both old and new, and connecting the songs together in a way that they create a uniform album, with fascinating chord changes, cryptic lyrics, and lots and lots of textures that remind me far more of what D'Angelo did rather than Bowie, one of his biggest influences. Such cool stuff - really uplifting and, like a good page turner, keeps you coming back again and again, trying to understand what exactly the central plot means by connecting all of the ideas together. So, what does this album mean? Not sure, but it really touches on all of the beauty and uncertainties of being human. Fantastic stuff.
Excellent, tout est bien produit, la voix est tres belle. Je ne peux pas m'empêcher a penser a l'artiste Tuerie en France qui peut proposer la même chose dans un style un peu plus hip hop
Listened to this a few times over the last day and decided on a 5. It’s a very complete album, and really enjoyable to listen to
I have never heard of Michael Kiwanuka before, but I immediately came to love this album. Amazing. You Ain't The Problem is a fantastic opening that immediately got me invested, then I also came to love Piano Joint (This Kind of Love), Hero, and Final Days. Honestly, everything from Final Days to the end of the album flowed together nearly perfectly. What a genuine, fantastic, delightful discovery.
Another 5 for the list. Powerful throughout, amazing voice, great lyrics
Excelente!!!
Perfect
Absolute masterpiece. One of the best soul albums of all time, all while sounding so fresh and new. 10/10
Amazing album the first great album that I discovered because of 1001. Great production by Dangermouse.
Needed to listen to it for a second time but yes, this is a 5/5. Amazing albumn. Unique, powerfull. Happy to have found it.
A modern classic that I've been meaning to give a listen for a long time. An amazing example of the amazing music that has come out the last few years. An absolute shame that so much of this list of 1001 is filled with 60's - 80's records with a single hit while absolute pieces of art like this exist. This album is grand, tells an amazing story blending influences from jazz, blues and soul into a beautiful tapestry of sound. I have literally nothing negative to say about this record. I guess it has some slower songs like "Hard to Say Goodbye", but this song is good enough to be the absolute top of many other records on this list. An absolute 10/10
An amazing album that very much deserves to be on this list, it plays with so many different genres, making an original and beautiful combination of music. Instantly a new classic that I'll be listening more to, as well to more of his discography.
So good! I need to go back and unpack this album some more, but it was the best recommendation so far. The voice and music sounded retro and vintage in all the best ways. I felt it was a mix of Air and Leon Bridges. "You Ain't the Problem," "Rolling," and "Hero" are my favorite tracks on first listen.
Sick. I really enjoyed this one. Very soulful. It did feel like the vocals and instrumentals were both excellent but not greater together than the sum of their parts. Fw heavy though
Dosta dobro zapp. prvi album na ovom govnu. ok 5 il 6 pjesma kojim bi se vratio, živio neo soul!!!! nadam se da cu come backat albumu 8.5/10
I really liked the music, melody, vibe. From the first song I knew that the albums was gonna be fire!
My ears were grabbed by this album - it landed really well onto them! Such a great singing voice. I liked how the album sounded retro even though it was only released about 7 years ago.
9/10 Best songs: You Ain't the Problem, Rolling, I've Been Dazed, Hero, Solid Ground, Light I've only heard a couple of songs by Michael Kiwanuka before - around the time he won BBC's Sound of... in 2012 - and wasn't super impressed. Today's listen has dramatically shifted my opinion. This album is a revelation. Michael Kiwanuka has his own, genre-bending style, mixing together funk, soul, 60s rock, and half a dozen other genres into something wholly its own. The album is both timeless yet of the moment, tied together by his silky smooth (yet at times gravel-rough) voice. It's so good. I do find a couple of tracks to be a bit dull, but the album is so overwhelmingly unique that it doesn't even matter. This is one album that absolutely should NOT be removed from the book in future editions.
Grymt album!
I haven’t heard this before. Listening through this, I recognize one or two songs that came up in a mix. There’s a great 70s soul sound here that avoids sounding dated. Really well constructed album, sounds familiar but new. Needs several listens to get the full effect and then you’re hooked.
oh my god
El álbum KIWANUKA me encantó; lo disfruté muchísimo. Tiene una vibra que incluso me dieron ganas de bailar en varios momentos. Me gustó especialmente porque es el primer álbum moderno que me ha tocado escuchar desde que comencé a usar esta plataforma y realmente conecté con ese sonido. Algunas canciones, como “I’ve Been Dazed”, definitivamente las volvería a escuchar. Para mí, es un 5/5 sin duda.
Modern day masterpiece?!? Incredible album start to finish. The textures and subtleties. A real headphones necessary album. Really loved it. Wished there would be more of these albums on this list!
This has caught me perfectly.
awesome
This is another album that I wouldn't have thought to listen to on my own, but I ended up loving it! It was the perfect rainy day album. I'm going to add it to my regular rotation.
Perfect album
Helped me feel less alone
#341/1001. I wasn't sure what kind of music to expect, based onnthe cover, the name and the opening sounds I thought this is yet another world music / African music act that I haven't heard about. In one sense that was not completely wrong asumption. But the album is much more, a gem of modern pop, rnb, soul, etc. So thank you for the project for introducing this, definitely will come back to this and check out more.
Favorite Track: Piano Joint (This Kind Of Love) Least Favorite Track: You Ain’t The Problem
Why hadn't I heard of this guy before now? Some genuinely beautiful songs, incredibly easy to listen to. Love the use of intros and interludes; makes this feel like a very cohesive album, and not just a collection of absolute bangers.
Surprisingly good, I'm listening to "Another Human Being" as I started to wrote these lines. The blues and jazz with the elements of electronic and pop genre, it was a banger of a starter from Michael Kiwanuka. No wonder this album is a must-listen-to, I'll think I'll keep this saved on my spotify, even putting some of the songs on The Playlist.
amazing sounds beautiful melodies
Enjoyed this a ton! Like a modern take on a Marvin Gaye album. Nice recommendation list!
This is one of those albums that reminds you how much can be achieved by simply getting the fundamentals right. Proper songs, properly sequenced, and a clear sense of what the record is trying to be from the first note to the last. It sits in that late 60s or early 70s tradition of the album as a continuous experience rather than a collection of tracks. There is an obvious lineage back to Marvin Gaye in the way it flows and holds its emotional temperature, but it never feels like an exercise in homage. It just understands the form and works within it. What stands out is the control. The album is clever, but never in a way that draws attention to itself. Influences are used as signals rather than statements. A hint of Watchtower in a guitar figure, French film music in the backing vocals, a touch of Blur’s 13 or Think Tank weariness in the tone. These elements appear briefly, do their job, and are absorbed back into the whole. The French film music strand is particularly effective. It allows the album to deliver emotion indirectly, through atmosphere and melody rather than declaration. Moments feel observed rather than performed, which keeps everything grounded even when the material could easily tip into grandness. There is also a strong thread of introspective gospel throughout. Not the outward, communal kind, but something more inward and reflective. It adds weight without volume and gives the album a sense of quiet moral seriousness without ever becoming heavy handed. Even when the record opens itself up, as on Hero, it feels like play within a defined system rather than a loss of focus. The palette broadens, but the identity holds. By the closing stretch, the cohesion is undeniable. Nothing feels like filler and nothing breaks the spell. What makes it land is the balance. It is clever, tender and heartfelt at the same time, which is harder to achieve than it sounds. Too much of any one of those and the whole thing would tilt. Here, they are held in proportion. It is not a concept album and it is not trying to be one. It is simply a collection of magnificent songs that belong together, and that is a rarer achievement than it used to be. A modern classic.
J'ai hésité mais au final je pars sur un 5, j'ai vraiment beaucoup aimé, l'album a un super flot et de beaux enchaînements du début à la fin. Coup de coeur !
Rolling has popped up on my Discover Weekly a good bit, so I was excited to see this album on here. Dang, the rest of it really is that good too.
i love vibess
Great, demands a relisten
Tiene esa base de soul moderno y rock psicodélico que me vuela la cabeza. El nivel de los arreglos instrumentales y la calidez de las voces te atrapan al instante. Artista del carajo.
Jamais écouté avant. Un album inclassable, qui puise dans la soul psychédélique de la fin des 60's sans verser dans la redite. Michael Kiwanuka parvient a se renouveler à chaque morceau ou presque, tout en restant cohérent. Remarquable. Top : Hero Flop : Solid Ground
Excelente. Álbum para relajarse
Very good. It's like a hip pop beat on rock vocals
I have never heard of this artist at all, nor any songs by him. Thoughts after listening ... Definitely really digging this even just 3 songs in. Funny (and cool) how this sounds like something timeless but it came out in 2019. If you told me this was from the 70s, I would believe you. The Wikipedia article about him references a very long and varied list of "influences" - and I can see that. I love that he's not just a specific genre - but just plays what he likes and combines so many different styles and it just sounds good. It's just good music that is enjoyable to listen to. I do get some Marvin Gaye vibes - especially "What's Going On?" era (1971) - so if you like that album my guess is you will like this too. Also - listen to "Les Fleurs" by Minnie Ripperton (from 1970) and see if you hear similarities in some of these songs - not the voice (of course, her voice is too unique) but the music and background singers etc. Even though it does remind me of other artists at times - it's a wholly original and unique work - not a copy. It definitely has a generally more chill, mellow, introspective vibe - but it's not boring because of the intensity of it all and the great instrumentation, arrangements, lyrics and his voice. I love how the production provides space to actually hear the different instruments. It's not done with that typical modern production style where it's all just so densely packed with sound and everything is turned up to 11. After first run through I had already liked 10 songs on Spotify. After 2 more listens I ended up liking the whole thing. It also feels like it's all one piece - like some of the greatest albums - not just a collection of some random singles and lots of filler. It's a true "album" that all goes together well. So many great tracks on this - but some standouts for me are: "Rolling", "I've Been Dazed", "Hero", "Hard To Say Goodbye", "Final Days", "Solid Ground" Wow - this has been a great surprise. Another example of why I signed up to do this 1001 Albums project. Yes, there are a lot of clunkers on this list but there are some genuinely great surprises like this. Excited to hear these songs pop up on my automated playlists! I'm gonna have to check out more from this guy. Liked songs on Spotify: 14/14 (Perfect Album) Rating: 5/5
Really liked it!! Hard To Say Goodbye in particular is v nice
this album is so refreshingly beautiful and interesting, both sonically and lyrically. Would I listen again: yep Deserves to be on this list: yep 4.5
Had never heard of him before, but wow what beautiful soul/blues. Heard echoes of bill withers in there, incredible percussion. Truly a great album
A fantastic discovery- it’s fresh and exciting. Will definitely keep listening to this
Great album Seems like an older genre, but with a sound that also appeals to younger
hot fuck mike!!!
This was different and great
Brilliant - listen to it again
What a pleasent surprise. sounds that float adrift to places unknown. Every song took us somewhere new and by the 3rd or fourth song I was eager to discover were it would take us next.
Absolutely loved this album. Every song is good, everything about it is good
Oh boy
Oooh newer music! Good lyrics and an awesome first song to get me engaged from the start. This is unique music that feels like the best of the time. Beautiful, soulful, and respectfully referential. What a great listen. Season: Early Fall Favorite Song: You Ain’t The Problem
Another great surprise. The eclectic blend of electronic and organic elements are done very nicely and the whole thing is just dripping with emotion.
Desconocia de este artista totalmente y la verdad que me sorprendio, agregue todo el album a mi playlist
To follow up Love & Hate with something so self-assured that he named it after himself, shows the special artist that he is and it was fantastic to see him pick up the Mercury Prize for it. Continuing the sound from his first album, pulling from the same lineage as Marvin Gaye, Bill Withers and Curtis Mayfield, it perhaps has a more cinematic soundscape than his previous work, full of lush textures from the fuzzed-out guitars, orchestral strings and gospel vocals, to the quieter, more vulnerable moments aided by producers Danger Mouse and Inflo. Whilst for me it doesn't hit the heights of Love & Hate it's still a top tier album fro a top-tier artist
Was great, felt very contemporary and rock.
Perhaps the best surprise album I've heard so far! Just a phenomenal sound that I really wish I had experienced before. Smooth, melodic, poignant, and makes me want to take in so much more. I honestly can't think of a single bad thing to say about this album, and it needs to be admired more.
Przyjemny album
By far my best album so far. Deep, rich sound that made me feel the music. I have never heard of this album prior, and I foresee it being a staple in my summer listening.
Несмотря на то, что я много не ожидала от этого альбома + не была знакома с жанром как таковым, эта штука покорила меня. Альбом такого рода невозможно слушать фоном, на нем надо сосредоточиться. Так что переслушивать его мне придется. И, возможно, ещё не раз
Very nice album. Very cool and unique
Fonky ass cool ass shit
So freaking good
Great listening while oldest took a bath and youngest played. Easy and fun
Absolutely stunning album
Pretty big fan! Added to my library. Listened several times.
This was transcendant, it felt so much deeper than the lyrics. Favourite track: Living in Denial
Solid 5/5. What a hidden gem!
What a groovy but immensely chill album. The guitar work, mainly the effects, were really enjoyable to my ears. Along with Kiwanuka's excellent voice and songwriting I'm left very pleased and will be on the lookout for a physical copy of this one. Upon first listen I rated it a 4, but since I was left with the desire to listen to it again I believe a 5 is warranted here.
A lot of distortion for something that’s relatively funky? Smooth voice. Quite nice. Will be returning to this for sure. It’s hard to find albums to read and write to sometimes, but this goes down well.
Love everything about this album
Heard the occasional song on the radio that I have enjoyed. Album in its entirety also very good
This was a great album. So much so I decided to listen to it twice yesterday.
My favourite album of recent years. Faultless
Me recuerda a Fela Kuti.
Easiest 5 of my life. A reminder of why I started doing this in the first place.
dope
Great album, listened to it a lot when it came out, glad it's on the list. His voice is excellent.
Followed MK fron the start, saw him in 2012 in the bbc introducing tent at Glastonbury, and have been a fan since that day. This album is a probably top 20 for me
5 stars for this masterpiece any day, every day. Gorgeous modern day masterpiece. Thank you!
A great selection of songs, well-written. strong group but really outstanding: Rolling, I've Been Dazed, Piano Joint, Hero, Solid Ground. But the songs not mentioned were not skipped. Everything was worth a listen and actually enjoyed. this one goes to 5 (stars).
so beautiful. listened to this all the way through twice, immediately after each other. wow. his voice sounded familiar then i realised this guy made the “big little lies” theme song. banger. loved this
This is the kind of album i was hoping to find here. It is a masterpiece
10/10, cada escucha es una sesión de levitación, Hero sería el soundtrack perfecto para arrancarle la cabeza a Netanyahu con las manos
Great sounds
I'm nearly 75 albums in and happy to have been recommended this album. I wouldn't have come across this album on my own. I loved it and listened to it 5 times. Great vocals, guitars, and range across the album. Favorite songs: Living in Denial, Hard to Say Goodbye, You Ain't the Problem, Piano Joint Intro, Rolling
So far, since starting this list, this is by far the highlight of every single new album I've been introduced to. Absolutely enjoyed it throughoughly! Really energetic and lively, with the interludes nicely giving breathing room to it.
9.3
Spectacular.
Never heard of this album or artist before, but boy oh boy am I glad this made the list. This was a calm, beautiful listening experience and I’m eternally grateful to have heard this. Good job generator!
Brilliant I love it Ready to listen again
Wow, that was an excellent album! Atmospheric, groovy, happy, sad. Very listenable. I’d never heard of this artist before, but will be sure to listen to his other works
very soulful, full of raw emotion, authentic and creative. imo this is an instant classic. nothing but love for kiwanuka!
Really good. Would have expected that the other album would be on here with cold little heart and love and hate, but this album hits the same marks for me. Good music, good emotional voice, enough variation but a consistent package
When I started this process, I wanted to listen to all the classics that I hadn’t listened to before, give my musical diet a bit of depth and breadth. I didn’t expect that I’d find newer music, released in the last 10 years, that would become some of my favourite stuff. But I think Kiwanuka has got there for me.
If nothing else comes from this album generator but discovering this album it would be worth it. This is outstanding! Such a groove and such a voice. Love it and now I’m off to find more from him
So far pretty epic, modern classic, lots of advert-worthy tracks. Some really beautiful tracks - I feel like I've been missing out by not having listened to this before now. I actually think this might be the best album I've listened to so far doing this 1001 albums thing. This album is so cohesive; it's not just a collection of songs, it fits and flows perfectly together. Finding out it was produced by Inflo and Danger Mouse makes a lot of sense.
First album I got that haven't heard of before. Loved it
I loved it, such a fun album
Now this is gonna be my first 5, I have listen Michael before, but not this album, I didn't want to skipped any song and I find my self wondering into the seeking listening to him. I like that it’s a modern album and not another 60s or 70s boring album again.
calm and luxurious
This was such a pleasure to listen to - the whole way through! loved it.
Top 3: 1. Hero 2. Light 3. Piano Joint Least Favourite: Another Human Being Fantastic album. Loved all the tracks, especially 'Hero' and 'Light'.
Me gustó. Muy buen disco. Un sonido muy único y potente. Me gusta lo que hacen con tantos instrumentos. La producción del disco impecable. Hasta ahora de mis discos favoritos de la lista. Cada canción tiene una potencia enorme y una instrumentación y arreglos muy locos. Experimental, innovador, potente, con gran carácter y autentico es como definiría a este disco.
Not much of a detailed review, but damn! I really enjoyed myself! Mainly, the transitions from track to track. Especially, Another Human Being to Living In Denial. 9.5/10
This is such a cool album! Love the retro vibe and the choir throughout.
Very good album- I just could set and relisten to this again
Brilliant album. I can see me revisiting this a lot. So much going on and had me hooked from start to finish.
Lempparit: Piano Joint, Light Vähiten lempparit: varmaan introt
Love it
A really big surprise. Never heard of him, never heard any musich by him. And what a great album. Great sound, great songs and overall a well worthy album to listen to!
Among my favorite new discoveries on the list so far. Soulful, funky, psychedelic jams abound! I loved the breadth of music styles and genres throughout this record. Danger Mouse produced this record, and you can hear his influence, but this does not mean that there isn’t plenty of new and interesting material here. In any event, the production is outstanding. This is a very fun listen on good quality headphones or speakers. This album is definitely going on regular rotation. I’m excited to explore his other material and hopefully catch a live show someday. My favorite critic quote while researching the album, “Take Stevie Wonder, Funkadelic, Seal, Marvin Gaye, The Band and Bill Withers, put them in a blender, mix it up….out comes Michael Kiwanuka.” (Greg Potters)
Wow. 24 hours after first listening to it, KIWANUKA has burrowed its way into my brain. I’ll be revisiting frequently until I can get my hands on a physical copy so I can properly pay for this experience that I’ll remember until dementia or death.
I hadn’t listen to this full album before, I really enjoyed it
Favorite Tracks: You Ain't The Problem, Hero
No notes a classic that I’ll always thank my dad for showing me
Just incredible. I had never heard of him, but this was brilliant.
Wow. I had never heard of this artist, but I added it to my library halfway through the third song. I love everything about this- the gorgeous melodies, the lyrics, the rich and layered arrangements and percussion, Michael’s soulful vocals. I love the way he weaves gospel, soul and funk together in a way that gives homage to the past but also feels distinctly modern. The songwriting is deeply personal, and I can’t wait to listen without the distraction of getting kids ready for school in the morning. I can tell this is an album that grows better with every listen, and also one that I will hyperfixate on for months. It’s so lush and cinematic. THIS is why I’m doing this project. What a joy to find a new artist that I connect with so deeply on the first listen.
THIS IS WHY I SIGNED UP FOR THIS PROJECT! Completely and unexpectedly blown away by this album and this artist. Loved it from the first minute to the last. Have already played it through five times plus had a cheeky explore of his latest album. Just fantastic.
a guy that I've been vaguely aware of for the last few years but I've never actually given a listen, and mama mia I've been missing out. this is what all the stuff in our current old-meets-new retro-futurism era aspires to be, the blending of modern production with psychedelic, soul, funk, everything gels together so well and the whole thing is a pleasure from start to finish, 50 minutes that feel like 30. you've got a new fan michael!
Never heard of him, and now I'm a fan. Great throwback to the 60s psychedelic soul sound I got really into the last couple of years.
Great
Unexpected surprise! Great album, will listen to it more.
My expectations were pretty low so I must say this was incredible. I honestly can't find a slaw with this album's composition- perfect use of bridge tracks and song lengths. At times I found myself smiling because I was not aware that an album from 2019 that I'd never heard of could be so good. I think my impression of the album over is summed up in 'I've been dazed'. I think incorporating elements like gospel can be quite hard however this achieves it perfectly. Ugh and then the delicious instrumental towards the end omg I started smiling because it kept getting better and better.
This feels very reminiscent of when it was made. I really like this and will definitely relisten. The intro tracks really help bridge the gaps between each song so it feels like a very cohesive album to listen to. I might even consider upgrading this to a 5 on the second listen
Perfection. Outside of critical appraisal.
You Ain't The Problem - 4.5/5 Rolling - 4.5/5 I've Been Dazed - 4/5 Piano Joint (This Kind Of Love) - Intro - 4/5 Piano Joint (This Kind Of Love) - 5/5 Another Human Being - 3.5/5 Living In Denial - 4/5 Hero - Intro - 4.5/5 Hero - 4/5 Hard To Say Goodbye - 4/5 Final Days - 4/5 Interlude (Loving The People) - 3.5/5 Solid Ground - 4.5/5 Light - 4/5
First album! I bought it at his show on vinyl
4.5
4,6 - Ein moderner Klassiker, jedes Lied hat mehr Emotionen als manche Alben. Dazu abwechslungsreich und einnehmend. Highlights: You Ain't The Problem, Rolling
Імба
Really cool album! Nice discovery
This is really good I would actually listen to this and I love his voice and the beat
Classic sounding without being boringly reverant, soulful and emotional but never histronic, ecclectic in it's influences but cohesive in it's vision and sound. This is a true album as a defined piece of art. Richly satisfying and my favourite new discovery so far.
Absolutely great album
Really nice album. Had it on as background and it pulled me in to listen. He successfully melds many genres.
I really enjoyed this one I’d buy this on Vinyl such beautiful lyrics and instrumental
Never heard of this album or artist before. This is incredible. Beautiful album.
Big fan
Perfect
So beautiful that one 7 minute song is nice af i like very much
this jawn bang
Really solid stuff. Love the layering of tracks, lots going on but everything has its place. Each note hits the eardrum in a super pleasing way. Great balance between the effects on the keys/strings and the relatively clean sound of the percussion. Beautiful vocals too, both the lead and the choir. I like a good bit of the modern soul I've heard, but this is the first thing that doesn't feel like a mashup of genres or like it's trying to be from another era. But that's probably on me for not doing enough digging.
atmosphärische klangcollagen mit tollem groove und einer tollen stimme. endlich wieder einmal eine entdeckung!
Very unexpected but very easy 5 star
Oooo wow I loved this!! What a good journey, loved it from the start and continued to love it to the end. As someone who can get distracted in albums this held my attention as one smoooooth piece, keen to listen to more from him now
absolute banger
What an album!!! No había escuchado a un artista contemporáneo tan comprometido con su arte
One of the most powerful/ beautiful albums I’ve listened to. Music like this is so insanely important. This album was so gorgeously put together the transitions between songs were perfect especially Interlude to Solid Ground. Each song so rich in meaning and feeling. Truly perfect album.
my first time listening. my god. sensational. i will be taking A LOT here with me.
Love!
beautiful and emotional
3/3. Wow, first album on this list that's really blown me away, just fantastic overall. Great songwriting, awesome instrumentation (there's a fucking harp at the start of Another Human Being??), and lyrics to match. Every song offered something different than the last, but it still feels totally cohesive. Definitely an artist I'm going to dive deeper into.
lovely lovely lovely
Ещё один фаворит для меня.
Nice showcase of his voice, good harmonising throughout the album too. I really enjoyed this listen.
Love this artist and album. Have seen him twice live as well. Highlights are Hero, Rolling and Piano Joint. Solid 5 for me.
Exceptional album. Will definitely re-listen to!
Great vibe 👍 such a great vibe I didn't even realize the album ended
12 albums in and finally a 5*
I love this retro style in modern times, because it just has such a great vibe overall! I never heard of Michael Kiwanuka, but this record was amazing. I am a huge fan of Black Pumas (I really think their debut album should be included on this list), and this one is very reminiscent of that, but it's its own thing as well. I loved it really, it was a beautiful experience. Smooth vocals, great instrumentation and compositions, just so good overall.
Only two songs in and I’m already obsessed, such a great new discovery for my music library! ETA post listening to the whole thing: LOVE. 5/5
Had never heard of this artist before and was a bit worried about wading through such a long album. This is great though. Such good songs, vocals and instrumentation. I can see why it won the Mercury Prize. Will go back to this album and artist.
I really like the album
That voice.
Soulful, whimsical (at times) and life affirming throughout. There is an inherent musicality in his work.
Stunning space, the spot-on timing for a relaxed, meaningful vibe, great musicianship. Wow, what a beautiful, interesting album.
I had no idea what to expect going into listening but I'm very positively surprised! This was a great album. I absolutely loved the instrumentals, his voice is very soothing aswell.
easy five. saw the genre was "psychedelic soul" and had the instant "oh hell yeah" reaction because this was fantastic start to finish. the hendrix-inspired stratocaster sound here is sublime. there's such an emotive body to it that gives a really strong base for kiwanuka's complimentary vocals. the string arrangements across this whole album are fantastic. like, listening to the violins take the front in "light" while kiwanuka's guitar slowly reverbs across in tandem with the background vocalists? that's what i'm talking about right there. genuinely pretty surprising that this album didn't blow up more. great stuff.
Wow I should have heard this album before now! This is genuinely the first album listening experience from the list so far where I've not just enjoyed it, not just found it great, but immediately known I will be listening to this over and over in future. The guitar, the SOUND of this album is so good. It feels like a splash of cold water after having sat through a year in music that I have found to be pretty stale. The album listening experience here is sublime in my opinion, the way it moves between tortured, deeply soulful to Lush and retro-infused sounds. Damn! If you haven't, listen to this album.
Album saved to library Very funky, moody, bouncy Would listen to in all seasons Very wicked instrumentation Easily already in my music taste
Świetny album, mój styl, spokojny, mega mi się podoba💗
No. 47 What a surprising musical journey. Beautiful vocals and grandiose music pieces.
Så dygtig musiker wow
Så god!! Rar stemme og en god fakkelbærer til næste generation af soul sangere 🌟🌟
tellement serein, apaisant
Album No. 0091 on my list. I’ve Never heard of Michael Kiwanuka or the album before and it caught me completely off guard how good this album is. It’s really, really good! I love the albums chill, soul-y groove, I love Kiwanuka’s singing, I love how well this thing is engineered and how great it sounds. Really cool stuff! It starts of very well, “You Ain’t The Problem” was an instant favorite and I’ve added the track to my playlist. And the album ends very well, too - both “Solid Ground”, and “Light” ended up on my playlist as well. There joined there by three additional songs: “Piano Joint (This Kind Of Love)”, “Hero”, and “Final Days”, but to be honest, I just wanted to overcrowd my already long playlist and just had to select a subset. But in the end, pretty much all songs could have ended on my list. Great album, highly recommend it! 5/5 stars!
Sweet, relaxing instrumentals, and Kiwanuka’s voice is nothing but incredible. Really a surprise album for me, never had heard of this one before, but man was it good
OMG This was so great, s
Not what I expected, never judge an album by it's cover 🤣
This is one of those albums that I've seen a million times but have never actually listened to. I've heard nothing but positive things about it so I'm really excited to listen today. This album is so diverse and surprising. It has so many different styles but it all flows together really well. The music is great (though maybe a tad simplistic at times), the lyrics are poignant, it is performed and sung impeccably well. What else can you ask for? I'll probably listen to this album a few times today and can imagine that I'll stick it in regular rotation. One that I slept on for far too long and is a brilliant piece of work. 5/5
Really surprising, really good
I like the sound of this album a lot. First song is really good and so is Living in Denial and Solid Ground. Kinda a banger of an album. I definitely will listen again in the future, I really liked it. I agree, not sure what genre this even is but it is really fun to listen to with heaps of variety and all the songs flow into each other really nicely. My top album so far. Only song I have heard before is hero, but my favourite was Living in Denial with Lights a close second. Hard to choose they are all really good, especially together as an album. Definitely checking out his other stuff after this. - surely 5 stars?
Incredible vibes from start to finish.
I’m a bit of a sucker for a retro soul vibe, but I love that this then puts an interesting, contemporary spin on it.
What a great discovery! During the first few songs, I couldn't tell what decade I was listening to. He incorporates great sounds and techniques from multiple eras and creates a timeless album. Funk, jazz and gospel inspired, with beautiful vocals and dreamy soundscapes.
This is an amazing album. I had never heard of Michael Kiwanuka before this and now I'm glad that I have. When I first saw the cover I was like "Awesome I Am Going To Get Some AfroBeat", now I'm like "Awesome, I Got Some Great New Soul". Amazing start to finish.
Wow, this is exactly why I use 1001albums! Glad to have discovered this.
This is pretty unique and cool. Mesmorising in places
9/10 album. Great listen all throughout
Great album. Reminds me of puzzle solving at home, listening to these amazing songs. M.K. has an amazing voice, and the music comes from different genres, beautifully produced. Straight 5.
Absolutely beautiful music with rich instrumentation. What a joy to listen to.
Pretty big fan! Added to my library. Listened several times.
Loved it!
When I first saw the name and the cover it was familiar but could not recall any music from this album. Once I got two songs in I was hooked and toward the end I remembered the song Hero. Honestly did not want the album to end.
Would probably give a 4.5
Great recommendation from the list, haven't heard of the artist/album before. Atmospheric production, great variety of songs, stellar album! Favorite track: hero other picks: you ain't the problem, piano joint, solid ground
yessir i love this the first song sounds a tiny bit primal scream - almost as if i remember it from a playlist with both of them on lol
open track is a joyous journey. sound is great. has retro vibes.
Just Great !
This was really good and a great surprise. Never heard of this artist and was a little skeptical since it’s a fairly new release. Loved the varying genres - it sounds modern and retro at once, making it a timeless listen.
Not sure why I have never heard this before
Conocía la existencia de este álbum, tenía canciones en likes (buen precedente) pero no había ahondado nunca en Michael Kiwanuka. Cuando leí produced by Danger Mouse ya sabía que iba a ser canela en rama. Lo infra que está ese tío poco se habla, me parece top 5 productores de este siglo pero sin duda alguna. Siento que Michael Kiwanuka aprovechó al máximo la cuasi hora que dura este álbum con canciones que mantienen en vilo, sonidos refinados y variopintos y una performance vocal que tampoco deja indiferente. El álbum me parece muy redondo de principio a fin, y por momentos, muy cinematográfico, que generalmente siempre es algo positivo. No veo por qué no darle las cinco estrellas tbh, está más cerca de la perfección que del 9 para mi gusto. Favs: Rolling, Piano Joint (This Kind of Love), Hero, Solid Ground
Holy god this is a good record. KIWANUKA is the very definition of standing on the shoulders of giants. Kiwanuka and his production team (Dangermouse and Inflo) wear their influences on their sleeves, yet make music that sounds totally new, never succumbing to imitation or even to attempts at revitalizing previous eras. I've heard a few people online refer to Kiwanuka's sound as 21st-century psychedelic soul. That is a fair categorization as long as we keep in mind that the phrase "21st-century" comes first. Yes, the most obvious influences here are Curtis Mayfield, Isaac Hayes, and later-career Marvin Gaye, but other, most recent influences shine through too...Portishead, D'Angelo, Erykah Badu, Seal, and even earlier Dangermouse himself. The album sounds immediate and familiar but never derivative. KIWANUKA is truly a masterwork. Except for one major, glaring problem. In many places, this thing is mastered hotter than a ghost pepper. It's clear that this album was made with great care, so I'm assuming the choice to add high-level distortion and even some vocal wobbles was deliberate, kind of like how many classic hip-hop recordings in the '90s deliberately left in or even inserted '70s-era vinyl noise for atmosphere. Much of the record sounds like it was force-fed through an old transistor radio. This album is full of introspective yet celebratory jams that make me crave volume, but the mastering had me turning the music down rather than up due to instant ear fatigue. Seriously, you can look it up on the Dynamic Range database. The DR on the CD and download versions is six of a possible fourteen. Electronic albums can get away with a score that low, but a layered, orchestral soul album can't. This piece begs for and deserves a remaster. The vinyl version scores a nine, which gives me hope that the original recordings weren't pushed so hard. I almost docked this album a star for the mastering. It is hard to give five stars to a record that physically hurt me to listen to. However, subsequent listens opened the music up a bit. Once I got used to it, I was able to keep the volume low and listen to the layers. I was especially impressed with this record through headphones. KIWANUKA deserves every accolade it has earned, and I am excited to dig into the rest of Kiwanuka's catalog. I'll never really be satisfied with this album until it gets the remaster it deserves, but the music's genius pushes past all my complaints to earn full marks here. Five stars.
Lounge Jazz RnB maybe? Not sure how to categorise this but it’s mellow and buzzy and awesome
The opening tracks were phenomenal. Loved You Ain’t the Problem and Rolling. Then the middle hit with multiple piano bar tracks. This is the weakest part of the album. Next we get to Hero. Great track! Hard to Say Goodbye is beautiful, with a very vintage sound. Solid Ground is also a strong track. This was my introduction to Kichael Kiwanuka and this was a phenomenal album overall. He is very talented and this was a great listen! Loved Final Days
Ein sehr opulentes, aber teilweise auch zurückhaltend-emotionales Album, das zwar nicht die größten Höhen seines Vorgängers erklimmt, aber dafür ein noch vielschichtigeres und konstant hochwertiges Songwriting bietet. Ein ganz, ganz toller Musiker.
Das geht wirklich einfach gut rein.
Wunderschön.
Very glad to have an opportunity to really sit with this album, which I had heard before but not listened to closely, because it’s incredible, a swirl of classic soul, psychedelia and contemporary R&B. There’s plenty of retro flare within: “Piano Joint” is ethereal and stirring, and conjures 70s singer-songwriter fare, with lovely orchestration, while “Living in Denial” evokes Isaac Hayes. But it also sounds thoroughly contemporary, with modern production and cinematic flair courtesy of Danger Mouse and Inflo, both of whom merit further inclusion on this list. The end result is something that is soulful, affirmatively personal and timeless.
One of the best albums ever recommended by 1001albumgenerator. please send me more like this! He is clearly a musical genius, up there with Prince, Peter Gabriel, Beck and Thom Yorke.
An absolute banger from start to finish. Wow. I immediately ordered this on vinyl after listening to it.
This was a really positive start to my day
That's a Woo Hoo from me
I had no idea what this was before I hit play, but I absolutely loved it. Kiwanuka's voice and vibe were just awesome. Soulful, funky, emotional, melodic, and just pleasantly musical, I really liked listening to this and hummed along to the changes throughout. I listened to it twice all the way through and was still digging it -- I almost went a third time. Five stars.
Great album. Cohesive collection of beautiful songs. Hip-hop, soul aligned.
Yes indeed this is a 5* album. A modern marvel. So much great stuff going on here and on top of it all a voice that glues into your mind. Got so much time for Michael Kiwanuka. 5.0/5.0 Best Song: Living In Denial
Been meaning to check this guy out. I love his vibe. Hero is the best song on the album.
A masterpiece, just as I expected
Gorgeous album. Kiwanukas voice is careful and understated, but gives off this gruff emotion just on the verge of breaking. Gonna need me a couple of chefs to kiss here please. Best: Final Days Worst: Another Human Being
Absolute slapper, highly recommend this album.
Absolutely brilliant record
This is the most recent album I've listened to so far and I really liked it! Super catchy, I couldn't help but tap my feet and dance. I love his voice. Fantastic new find!
Really impressed by this one, probably the best modern album I've gotten to date
Holyyyyy. The vibes be immaculate here. Gimme more strings. More moody. More choir. Gimme Hero. Nah, turn down the sombre and crank up the guitar, and do it again. Now do like a Jimi Hendrix thing but like, use piano and shit. Nice. Niceeee.
Dope!
Perfect
Favorite tracks: Piano Joint (This Kind of Love), Hero, Rolling, I've Been Dazed
Glorious album.
Great album, almost no notes. Favorites: hero, you ain't the problem. Listened to it twice in a row
I've loved this record since it came out, Kiwanuka is a master at creating these intimate, vulnerable and incredibly soulful moments. It's very hard to pick favourites, but I think "You Ain't The Problem", "Solid Ground" and "Piano Joint (This Kind Of Love)" are the best of a very very good record. I can't think of a way to improve this one honestly.
Top grooves and vocals, takes you to a far off place and has so much soul and story, first listen will be one of many.
Discovered this album just a couple of years ago. Liked it first time around but just gets better with every subsequent listen. One of my favourite albums now.
Really really good. Amazing layered sounds and just an amazing cover to cover listen.
This was pretty awesome, came out of no where for me Will I listen to again: 100%
What an incredible record!!
I did not expect to like this album as much as I did, largely because I'm new to this kind of genre. Nevertheless, I loved Kiwanuka's voice throughout the record. The instrumental sections are fantastic as well, a pleasure to listen to. This is a 5.
To echo the common sentiment shared by many others, this is absolutely the kind of album I am hoping to come across whilst doing this list. Just a phenomenal album that seemingly gets better and better the longer it goes on.
This album totally snuck up on me!! After the first listen I was somewhat interested. But, like most of the albums that have become sacrosanct to my soul, the more I listened to this album, the more I HAD to listen to it. Again and again. Melodic and soulful. Moody and poignant. It almost shames me that I did not know who this guy was. Absolutely love this!!
One of my favorites from 2019 (top 5 of the year), and one that I return to a lot. It kept me lots of company during COVID lockdown, mostly because it was one of the last records I bought before March 2020. Kiwanuka is British, but he carries his political and musical influences on his sleeve, simultaneously channeling Nina Simone and John Lewis, and "Hero" is easily one of most important and powerful political songs of the century because of these factors. It's a song that feels like its melody and chorus could go on forever and ever, like the cycle of racial violence in the US. But it comes crashing to a halt, making way for the instrumental grief (with the most beautiful choral "oooohs" I've ever heard) of the intro on "Hard to Say Goodbye." The first half of the album is great, but I think the second half elevates the final product to an incredible album deserving of any best of the 21st century list. "Final Days" into "Solid Ground" into "Light" and its haunting ending is god tier album structuring. It's a beautiful self-portrait of an amazing artist.
i’m just speechless… listening it for the third time today and it strikes so hard every time. definitely in my top 20 albums oat
Unexpected. Incredible good. I enjoyed from the first to the last song.
Give it another listen
It's a great album, very soul like very touching. Well produced and written, it doesn't feel like it has a fault. It's quite timeless, feels older in a sense although it's of 2019. A thoughtful album I'd call it.
what an album! very classical funk and r&b
Kiwanuka has a new fan! I really enjoyed this album. He has some great beats. I enjoyed his song structure. Going to start following this artist.
Вот это охрененный альбом. Душевный соул, с прекрасным, чувственным вокалом, с отличными, стильными современными аранжировками - это то, чего нам всем порой немного нужно. Просто замечательно, даже удивительно что это настолько современная запись, видать, не разучились еще музыку то делать! Куплю когда-нибудь на виниле
smooth, groovy, deep lyrics hidden in easy listening
Absolutely phenomenal. Contemporary and ageless. Great composition, use of instruments, fantastic voice with a warmth and honesty you rarely hear nowadays.
holy shit. this album pulled me in like one hasn’t in a while. i was hooked by the first song. piano joint (this love) was so incredibly touching and beautiful. i could feel myself getting emotional. what a track. this is what music is about. one of the most captivating albums i’ve listened to in a while. masterpiece
Awesome. Contemporary soul done right, definitely a Curtis Mayfield vibe going on at times. Each track jumps from genre to time period seamlessly.
The sound of souls being healed. Listened to it straight through again after finishing. Keen for more modern listens that have slipped by me. Lovely inclusion.
I knew Michael Kiwanuka when I was just expanding my music tastes in college, but just fell out of the habit of listening to him. Imagine my surprise when a later album (after the time I had been following him) is basically perfect! The melding of more contemporary influences with some almost folk sensibilities makes this a big breath of fresh air.
This is exactly the type of album that I'm doing this project for. Something I would never have found or heard on my own, but am deeply appreciative for having had listened. It's atmospheric and beautiful and something I will add to my regular rotation for a quiet Sunday morning as KIWANUKA deserves that attention and fits the vibe. This is an easy five-star album for me. I'd give it more if I could.
incredible, honestly. very frank ocean. i guess it sat more heavily with me given stuff I'd also been reading today, on the earnestness of desiring a place in this life and trying to ask politely for it. the ebbs and flows of surety embedded in it all.
Really enjoyed this one. I had never heard of him before and this gem is one of the reasons I like doing this 1001 albums.
I very much liked this album. I will definitely be listening to it more
His third album. Soul / Indie. Themes of social injustice, love, loss and hope. The production is very tight. I've Been Dazed is a good track. You Ain't The Problem is also very good. This album feels both contemporary and retro at the same time. It is clearly well thought out as a whole journey. The vocals are excellent. Living In Denial is a really good track. A new album for me and a pleasant surprise.
Fantastic listen and such a wild suggestion as my first album. Have had so much love for it since seeing Kiwanuka live in Florence. Regardless of nostalgia, I truly believe it's full of musical excellence all around. My favourites being Hero and Solid Ground, but could listen to its entirety endlessly (and have done).
IMPRESIONANTE. No lo conocía y me llevé una grata sorpresa, es un álbum muy bien cohesionado, el sonido es increíblemente envolvente. Simplemente mis dieces a este disco.
What a delight and surprise to find this album on the list! One of my favourites of the last few years, KIWANUKA is both a collection of great individual songs but also greater than the sum of its parts - a wonderful experience from start to finish which is on both my and my partner's regular rotations. 10/10
2019 England. Psychodelic soul
Wow. WOW. This album takes me places. This is the first I've ever listened to anything by Michael Kiwanuka, even though I've been aware of him by name for some time. The opening track 'You Ain't the Problem' was instantly an all-time favorite. I literally haven't been able to stop listening to it. What an incredible throwback sound. I actually had to give myself a number of listens to the rest of the album to get over the fact that the rest of it slows way down and doesn't sound like the opening. But once I did get over it, the ride was so smooth. I'm coming up on about 200 albums rated, and this is the 5th to go instantly on my want list without having been exposed to it before this project.
I have a playlist where I add my favourite songs from each album… I really struggled picking one from this because they were all just that good, and if that’s not a sign then idk what is
This beautiful album came out in 2019 and I have never heard of this artist or album before until just now and I'm pissed off
Now I wish I would have spent more time with this artist!
Every part felt like it was specially crafted and mixed perfectly. Wow!!!
Wow. Amazing. I’m floating right now. I gotta see this guy in concert some day. Loved it.
Phenomenal. Powerful, graceful.
Really lovely songs. It's not often that I immediately go back for a second listen. Oddly puts me in mind of Coldplay's Parachutes album in some tracks. 5/5
Really unique and easy/fun to listen to these tunes. Personally haven’t heard much of this sound in recently released albums, enjoyed pretty much every song on here. Will start listening to more of Kiwanuka’s work after this, so a five star album in my eyes.
Hot damn. This was fucking amazing.
Yeah this is an excellent album. Immediate re-listen and likely a buy
Loved this. Was perfect companion for a long drive. It felt both intimate and cinematic, with particular moments evoking a spaghetti western.
Beautiful, lush, expansive tracks. This album is perfectly structured you feel the big open really announces itself, the middle takes you on a sonic journey, and the end tied everything up so you knew you were on the last track. Jazz drums, 60s cinematic strings, clean - clean guitar, 90s keys and a beautiful voice come together into something both complex and simple at the same time. Easy 5
Soulful, melancholic, beautiful. Favorite songs: You Ain't the Problem, Hero, Light.
Happy, upbeat, but also somber and reflective - full reality.
I am adding a new word to my vocabulary, Kiwanuka. I will use it in place of wonderful, excellent or beautiful. This sounds like Ibiza chill out has been hanging out with Afro soul, 70s blaxploitation, 60s rock, funk and soul for a weekend and had a great time. Kiwanuka LP 5 big Kiwanuka bouncy stars
I've never been led astray by Kiwanuka. His music hits deep. Love & Hate was my favorite of his, but this may have exceeded it.
really new and interesting, nice!
Beautiful record. Great production. Great songwriting. Great playing. For a fairly chill album there's a lot of great bass work.
This was fantastic & I am not done with it yet. I am going to run it back tonight.
Masterful soul music!!
Loved this!!
Amazing. Fresh but with a 70s rock heritage... It is a 4.5 but I will promote to 5 to give Michael K. More visibility. I discovered him with a cover of crazy little hearth in youtube, a solo like those od David Gilmour onntop Pink Floyd. Thanks for this album!
A modern classic for sure. Every part of this record feels intentional, purposeful, and crafted with care
Absolutely PHENOMENAL album. One of the best new discoveries I’ve had in ages. This will rank very highly when I’ve finished the list Top Track - Hero
Holy shit. Absolutely entering regular rotation for me. Beautiful.
Cool album will listen to more of this guys stuff honestly loved it
I was really unsure of what to expect from this album. Never heard of Michael Kiwanuka and, to be honest, most of the artists they have included who are only popular in the UK have had no business sniffing this list, let alone being included. This one, however, has been a welcomed change from those other inferior musicians. It's cool to listen to artists you have never heard of IF they are deserving of being on this list, which Kiwanuka definitely is. This album has a really interesting blend between soul and rock. The best way I can sum it up is that there is just a cool atmosphere throughout this record. Frankly, as I listen to this, it feels like a toned down Lenny Kravitz with the volume lowered a notch or two. Highlights for me: - Piano Joint: Awesome, awesome song. Just loved the feel of this. - Living in Denial: A throw-back to songs from the 60s / early 70s. This could have easily fit on some of those old Marvin Gaye albums. - Hero: starts simple but grows really well. Another great tune. To be honest, I am smack dab at 4.5 stars for this, as it’s not a perfect album, but I am giving it 5 for three reasons. 1. By using that picture on the cover and self-titling this, it's as if he is saying "this is me, take it or leave it." Note: You should definitely take it. 2. Finding stuff like this is exactly what I hoped to get out of this list. 3. Something happened to me on this album which rarely happens: I got chills listening to Piano Joint the first time through. Well deserved rounding up.
Faking maravilloso
What a voice! And this album is very pointed and filled with strong social messages.
Utrolig god flyt i hele albumet. Tidvis helt magisk.
I love this album. Well almost all of this album. If it wasn’t for the horrendous lah-lah-laaas on the opener ‘You Ain’t The Problem’, which come back louder and more repetitively on ‘Living In Denial’. It’s like finger nails on a chalkboard. If and when you can put that aside, I think this is an absolute gem of an album. His rich tone and guitar work just sublime. The album gets better as it progresses and the final 4 or 5 tracks form a beautiful fade out to the album. Can I dock it a star for the lah-lah-lahs? Would you dump the sexiest girlfriend you could imagine because the way she holds a knife and fork gives you ‘the ick’ (as the young people say). No. Of course you wouldn’t. Therefore, it’s a 5.
I loved this! Great feels and vibes while also having a super enjoyable radio on Spotify after
Listened to this while working, so I wasn't able to pay a TON of attention to it, but every time I found myself actively listening I was really impressed by what I was hearing. I really liked it :)