KIWANUKA

lowk really good listen, interesting mix of things going on, a lot of the songs sounded like they could be in a cologne advert, other than that pretty good, Best song - Ive been dazed

Another new discovery and really enjoyed it. It's described as "psychedelic soul" and that's a pretty accurate description. Would have liked a few more up-tempo songs, it gets pretty sleepy at times, but the songwriting and production by Danger Mouse are first rate. "You Ain't the Problem" and "Hero" are my favorite tracks.

Kiwanuka is a refreshingly retro voice in modern music. Blends influences from kind of all over the place genre-wise, only linking factor is a lot of these songs feel very 70s. Strong production from Danger Mouse too. Takes a while to get to the peak for some of the songs here, but when they get there they're well worth the wait

Tosi siisti levy! Wiki sanoo psyke soulia, mutta tosi modernia sellaista ja onhan tää tullut 2019. Tosi omanlaista eikä tuu mieleen mitään mitä tää muistuttais. Tosi elokuvallista kanssa. Siistit kappaleet sekä välisoitot ja biisit menee sulavasti yhdestä toiseen. Parhaat: Final Days, I've Been Dazed, Solid Ground, Light

My last listen was Fred Neil opposite of this very y good

Wow, this is a breath of fresh air. Phenomenal album

Todella chilli levy, voin kuvitella että toimii hyvin kesäillassa ajellessa, tai lämpimässä kävellessä. Tarvii kokeilla

Oh yes. Love this artist 😍 Great mix of soul tunes, love this ❤️

I dug it. Old school Sam Cook/Marvin Gaye vibe and sound. Loved the production take on the record.

4/5

Best Song: Hero This is good. I don't really see myself listening to it often but while working or doing other things, it is nice and mellow and Kiwanuka has a very soothing and relaxing sound. 4/5.

Fantastic. The only drawback is that the sampled/sequenced rhythm sections detract, from time to time, from the incredible humanity of the work. (How amazing would it be to hear all of these parts recorded by a band ala What's Going On or Pet Sounds?) But the songs are really engaging, and the arrangements are masterful.

Pretty cool actually, didn't know about this artist or this album or any of their songs but loved it

Really good. Sounds from another age. Mellow and heartfelt.

Soul and Funk, nice to know new music

Kos dette! Men en kan lure på hvorfor noen av disse albumene blir plukket ut her. Sååå spesielt er det ikke og siden det kom så sent som i 2019 tviler jeg på det har hatt så stor innflytelse på musikkhistorien 🤷‍♂️

I like this album. Haven’t listened to it in awhile. Not sure it really belongs on this list over other albums from 2019, but ok. I really liked this album. I do. The production, Kiwanuka’s vocals. I gave this album to my mom for Christmas 2020. No denying. 4 stars. Happy to listen again. Boolean rating: yes, glad I heard it before I die.

Compelling vocals, harmonies, uncluttered instrumentation. One to re-visit

KIWANUKA is a legitimately transformative take on soul music, which alone makes it worth the price of admission. But it also happens to be very good. Michael Kiwanuka effortlessly merges the warmth of vintage soul records with contemporary songwriting and production ideas in a way that is original, tasteful and very enjoyable. This album feels heartfelt and beautiful, to the point of being occasionally mesmerizing. And Michael Kiwanuka's deeply personal lyrics ground KIWANUKA in a place that feels deeply human.

Lots of influences here, touches of Isaac Hayes, Gil Scott Heron and some touches of Funkadelic. Good stuff

New artist and album for me and was really surprised. Had no expectations and this exceeded them in every way! Soulful, bluesy rock sound. Need to listen to this guy more.

Objectively I think I would probably have a better time with this process if every album aligned with my pre-existing tastes. 1000+ metal and rock albums would probably give me more music I keep returning to than the smattering we have where there's pop, punk and country that don't appeal to pre-existing tastes. Albums like this are why it's always good to challenge those easy comforts. I would never have sought something like this out and it was a really pleasant surprise. Maybe a touch long in places but really enjoyable different and distinct, does a great deal in its runtime and keeps things pretty damn fresh throughout. Not my favourite, but living up to the name of being an album worth listening to before I hop the mortal coil. The kind of album that makes the variety feel worth it.

The interludes are not great, but the core songs on this album are quite fantastic. Maybe not the most out there soul music, but it's so nicely peaceful and psychedelic, almost makes you levitate. There is a lot of room for his vocals in the mix here and they shine throughout. I love the production on this record, it's a throwback to the past but with a modern spin from a talented artist. You Ain't The Problem, Piano Joint, Living in Denial and Lights were major highlights for me.

This album felt old and modern at the same time.

'You Ain't the Problem' serves as a compelling opening to the album. The track truly comes alive when the "switch up" occurs. The dynamics on this opener are excellent, a quality that remains consistent across the entire project. The album is a soulful affair, underpinned by a slight hint of funk on some tracks and a distinct rock influence. Sonically, the production - particularly the instrumentation and the harmony vocals - are heavily indebted to the 1960s. Every arrangement feels thoughtful and meticulously constructed. While it is a fine album, and I can certainly appreciate the high level of craft on display, it doesn't quite align with my personal tastes enough to sustain frequent listens, as that soulful element becomes particularly prevalent throughout the mid to latter stages of the record. That said, the closing track 'Light' is stunning, and the best track on the album - replete with a great guitar solo. Lastly, the album art, painted by the Atlanta-based artist Reece Weaver, is visually striking. The cover depicts Kiwanuka in a style that evokes regal, historical portraiture, complete with a crown and ornate robes. Four stars. 1 "You Ain't the Problem" (5/5) 2 "Rolling" (4/5) 3 "I've Been Dazed" (5/5) 4 "Piano Joint (This Kind of Love) (Intro)" (4/5) 5 "Piano Joint (This Kind of Love)" (3/5) 6 "Another Human Being" (3/5) 7 "Living in Denial" (3/5) 8 "Hero (Intro)" (4/5) 9 "Hero" (4/5) 10 "Hard to Say Goodbye" (3/5) 11 "Final Days" (4/5) 12 "Interlude (Loving the People)" (3/5) 13 "Solid Ground" (4/5) 14 "Light" (5/5) Total - 54 Average - 3.86 310/1001 169/310 albums reviewed were new to me.

Wonderful. The choruses aren't as memorable as I like for a song / album to really get its hooks into me. I would happily return to this any time.

I had never heard of him so I had no idea what to expect and was pleasantly surprised. Kind of a mix of old school and new school sound.

Was pretty pretty good! Saved it

Very nice album, different vibes in it. Really liked it

Nunca habia escuchado hablar de este artista (creo). Me gusta que hace una mezcla de géneros muy interesante. Hasta las intros / interludios se hacen interesantes de escuchar. Creo que musicalmente tiene un concepto muy interesante y cuidado a lo largo de todo el álbum. Tracks que más me gustaron: Solid Ground, Piano Joint, Living in Denial,

You've heard a million mediocre albums like this - warmed-over neo-soul calling back to Marvin and Stevie but clearly not able to hang with either. So what is about Kiwanuka that makes him able to make that same album, but *way better*? One thing is that he seems to have a preternatural sense of pacing - he plays everything at exactly the *right* tempo, not a beat faster or slower, and so his compositions breathe and move organically. But maybe it's just something as intangible as *confidence*; this music isn't a pose for Kiwanuka, it's who he is, and so he approaches it without anxiety or the need to keep up appearances. It's the difference between looking at a painting by one of the Old Masters and one by someone trying to emulate them; with the former you know that particular brushstroke is there because it's *supposed* to be, you know it means something. The effect is enhanced by what I hear as white-knuckle sobriety poetry evoking the best of Curtis Mayfield, from "phantom pain in your arm, tryna make a mark and change" ("Rollin'") to "it's not enough just to cause a reaction" ("Living in Denial"). Kiwanuka dresses like a king on the album cover; it's not boasting if it's earned. I haven't heard this enough yet to award it a perfect score but I reserve the right to revise that.

A pleasant surprise. Possibly the first 'recent' records that has tickled my fancy, maybe because it is so backwards looking in its vibe. Great voice, some very good songs, and great production. Really dug this one and will define coming back to it.

this album struck me by surprise. although cheesy at times, it always feels intimate, honest and executed masterfully

Really wasn’t expecting much from this but I ended up liking this a lot

man this sounds right out of the 70's. Didnt realize how starved I was for some good soul music. My only gripe is that it meanders a little much, but his voice is on point so it hardly matters. Fantastic listening experience.

Today's album suggestion was a surprise. Never heard of the artist so didn't know what to expect. I'll definitely listen to this album and artist again 8/10

I'd heard about this artist only through discussion about the project. I found this to be a pleasant and nteresting album. with some very tasteful numbers on it. I was interested to see the Wikipedia article describe it as psychedelic soul. I had to go read up on what that might mean to people. I was also interested to see a review (on "Brooklyn Vegan"?!?) say that the album "sounds like a lost 70s soul classic". I could imagine playing this again - but the tracks didn't exactly grab me hugely. So I'll say it's Good, 7/10.

Very smooth

What a fantastic surprise! Never heard of this artist and I had to listen to this album twice it was so good! It’s like Beck decided to do a jazz infused album! Great headphone listening experience!

Je ne connaissais pas, j’ai vraiment trouvé qu’il avait une belle voix. C’est très fip vibe

This is really refreshing for someone getting into new music its a really jazzy smooth rock with a semi cinematic aspect to it and I really enjoyed listening to it i will be listening to other albums

al comeinzo pense que iba a ser mas Africano de lo que esperaba pero hace tanto que no esuchaba un album de "ROCK" que la verdad mesuto siquiera probarlo

очень оптимистично

Silky smooth voice .Great songs .

I like this guy!!! He sings that song Cold Little Heart from that HBO show!!

So en Chiller

I usually dread whenever a new album comes up on this list, but this is chill.

I’ve never heard of this artist. This is pretty good and feels both classic and timeless

Really great album I didn't know about before!

sehr gut, gefällt mir. stabile 4/5

Muy bueeeno, no me esperaba esl

I was pleasantly surprised.

A beautiful and atmospheric trip. Great album for a nature walk.

This was really enjoyable, super funky and new sounding. Will dig in more

This is the first album in this challenge where I was totally unfamiliar with the artist and came away with an album I'll actually probably listen to repeatedly. Good tunes with an indie sound that mix a lot of different influences.

loveeeeee

Great opening track. That one and a few others like Living In Denial have a wonderful 70’s film opening credits soundscape feel to them. Love it.

Nice to know this artist I liked it!

Really like the first half of the album. I dig the funk and soul stuff. Gets a little too coffee shop sounding for me towards the end. I’d buy this if I saw it while flipping through records.

I immediately saw singer/songwriter and braced myself for some self indulgent BS, but was quite pleasantly surprised by what this turned out to be

Een album met een aantal hele mooie tracks ('Piano Joint' bijvoorbeeld), maar een groot deel van dit album vind ik wat saai als ik eerlijk ben. Het is wel een album ervaring; zo'n album dat je echt van begin tot eind geluisterd moet hebben. Klein bonuspuntje daarvoor. Ik maak er 4 sterren van omdat ik het een terechte toevoeging aan deze lijst vind, hoewel ik er vandaag misschien maar voor 3 sterren plezier uit haal. Schappelijke man ben ik.

This was a pleasant surprise. Really nice, smooth vocals and some gorgeous songs. One of the coolest albums I've listened to. Standouts for me were You Ain't The Problem, Piano Joint, Hero and Hard To Say Goodbye, which has some great guitar work. A really good 3.5/5.

A complete surprise for me, very good album!

Really enjoyed it. Instrumentation is very interesting and musicians obviously very talented. A few tracks reminded me a lot of post-2000s Bowie but a bit quieter. Would definitely listen to it again.

I was surprised this was his only album on the list, his first album is a belter too. Great artists, strong influences from 70s rock and soul. Reminds me of Rodriguez mostly. A really enjoyable listen.

Big fan of MK. This album sounds so lush and full. Michael's voice is a big warm hug. Sounds both contemporary and like a throwback at the same time. Solid 4/5.

Pretty good. Easy going. Nice arrangements. 8.

Pretty good!

Bra!!!

I’m I had only heard a handful of songs, including Cold Little Heart— so it was nice to hear a full album. Great one ✨

Fint avbrekk fra Gubberock

Super fun, great sound

It was chill but I feel like it would have been better if I was high.

This album kicks ass.

I had no idea what I was going to get with this album. This album is a whole mood. A really good listening experience. I will be revisiting this album again soon.

- flowmusaa - tuttu äiä ja pari biisiä kuuntelussakin mutta albumimitalla ei oo tullu tutustuttua kaverin tuotantoon - tää oli hemohyvä levy - usein tällasissa aikakautensa cooleimmissa jutuissa on riski että vanhenee hirmu nopeasti, mutta tämäon kyllä edelleen fresh

So happy that I found this album and Michael Kiwanuka. My brother and I listened to the first five tracks together and both added rolling to our playlists lol! I'd easily listen to more of his music in my free time. The songs are strong, emotional and in other parts delicate and vulnerable as he grows through identity and leaving behind old ways, they uplift my spirit and tell a story that makes you self reflect all while making you dance the whole way through. Perfectly ending with light.

It was pretty good, its not my personal style but I'd see why people would like this, the sound is unique to anything that I listened to And I enjoy the vocals a lot my ears feel like they had a massage and a Pettie cure.

wonderful album:) few standalone tracks that i really enjoyed

El álbum empieza tan arriba que parece que todo va a ser clima festivo pero de repente ya estás hundido en un lindo pozo de nostalgia musical que te lleva a recorrer los lugares más lúgubres de tu mente, crea una atmósfera increíble. Gran álbum.

très bonne découverte

Vraiment très bon, voix sympa musique cool belle découverte ! Au son ça a l’air moderne mais pas non plus de 2019, W le futur

Me dio tranquilidad

This is a pleasant surprise. Great stuff. Seems to hit all the right things for me.

Very chill music, a bit of an ethereal / otherworldly feel at times - makes great background music while hanging with friends or on a trip

It was a pretty good album, I thought most of the songs had good instruments.

Älskar honom. Final days, solid ground och light, vilket otroligt avslut. Stark 4a.

That was really cool. Funky with a huge sound and an otherworldly kinda vibe for some of the songs. But then some felt pretty earthy and a little folksy, like the first track. I dunno if that makes sense but it's my run of the albums so hey. I think the Piano Joints were my favorite.

Loved the guitar riff on Hero. Added You ain't the problem to a playlist. I've seen Michael Kiwanuka live after his first album and he sounds so incredible in person. This album was very rock like and I loved it.

Love the Gorillaz sample to open the album. I almost want to call it modern soul? It's a really cool mix of a lot of sounds. Big fan.

Flows really nicely, great mix of music

I don’t know Michael Kiwanuka and don’t think I’ve ever heard any of his music before. So far, a few tracks in, he’s pretty good. Very light, but not bad on the ears at all. Second listen and it’s really grown on me. I love the retro sound he employs. Really nice album.

Another voice I love.

I really like how full this album sounds, even with quite uncomplicated arrangements. Very nice, modern soul sound. A few classics on there to, by which I mean "songs which get played on bbc6 a lot".

Chilliges album. Mittelteil Klang wie 70s Marvin Gaye Nice

Ive never heard of this guy but hot damn im missing out. Soulful r&b to the extreme. This guy can make anything sound good it seems. If I was a lyrics guy im sure from vibes alone hes throwing out personal shit. If thats your thing I can only assume its gonna hit hard. For me it just sounds nice. Front to back. I get some gorillaz vibes during rhe slower songs, that might be a me thing cause ive been listening to alot of that. Maybe its just a British guy singing soulfully with some good beats behind him. But even then I het vibes like this is the slow damen songs but good. Stray for the cartoon band sorry. Anyway I dont have too much more to say. Its good stuff and ill be looking out for more new stuff. Hes gotta be still out there doing it and off this alone im excited to hear what's next

Never heard of this or of Michael before. Interesting g and smooth and deep and nice. Will listen again.

Solid album! I really liked the songwriting of it. Strong musicianship as well.

very soothing reminded me of rm

I am very good at my job and I am so tired so uhhhh no review today, come back tomorrow

Great gem found this project, great to see 2010s inclusion

Great album. I did not expect this vibe at all

I fell hard for Kiwanuka’s debut LP “Home Again” when it came out. This type of experience is both a blessing and a curse: you get to witness the growth and success of an artist in real time, but you are constantly just wishing for more of that original sound you fell in love with. Like all great artists, Kiwanuka is not fixed to a single sound, and has naturally transformed his style over the years. His first album is still my favorite, but I enjoyed this record and its strong songwriting throughout.

Great album, great artist, great time listening to it Song I like: you ain’t the problem,

Hey! A pleasant surprise!

a lot of fun for what I would consider to be a surprising inclusion. doesn't feel essential in any way but yeah just straight up a fun record

Discazo

really quite refreshing , every song offered something sweet :D

Nice listen, although not so catchy for most of the songs. Favourite two tracks: Rolling and I've Been Dazed

I like this album, it surprised me because I had never even heard of Michael Kiwanuka!

Much better than I expected, good album

slept on this one

very pleasant listen, and some good tunes.

Gets better with every play. Refreshing sound, beautiful journey!

Well this was a real unexpected delight. The Brits are right on this one. Only thing keeping it from a 5 was a lack of general catchiness to the songs, but that also seems like a "me" problem.

It's an excellent album - a really good listen, feels cohesive, and bookended by some really strong tracks. I think it loses its way a little bit in the middle, but I'd happily listen the whole way through regardless. Definitely one for the long-term list.

Really enjoyed it, unique and infectious sound.

I wasn't sure what to expect but was pleasantly surprised.

il signor kiwanuka creò delle atmosfere soul un po’ psichedeliche belle e penetranti, davvero un bell’album

Veramente molto bello, l’ho ascoltato un po’ distrattamente ma si capisce il potenziale

not bad.

Cool and jazzy

Something new. I truly enjoyed this. Unique sounds and a good voice. Production was good.

Buen álbum, la primera escuchada me gustó pero definitivamente hay que reescucharlo Transmite mucho sentimiento el muchacho Además es muy intencional en todo lo que acompaña a este álbum Entiendo que fácilmente desplace a algún otro álbum de esta lista para ser de los 1001 álbumes para escuchar más recientes

it was a revelation when this dropped in (maybe just after?) college. he stepped up big with scope and managed to deliver. was an immediate AOTY contender for me. 4.5

I really enjoyed this, especially the way. The album started, it really grabbed me. Also was thankful for the reminder of this artist, whom I completely forgot about after big little lies ended

The transitions were seamless and the album was so fun to listen to.

Good

I didn't know much about Michael Kiwanuka before I got the recommendation for this, his third album. It's a soulful mix with a tendency to softer rock, but without any of the clichés of said sub genre. There's a good flow of things. I like that. Some songs blurr a bit too much into the background and are not as strong as others, but that's by the by. I will listen to this album again!

warm, expansive, and somehow immersive // this one made me slow down, which i appreciate

I haven’t to all the songs but this is for sure very interesting and unique and also very relaxing

Chill, good voice

First song is a banger so far. Love the vocalization, but a very similar sound throughout.

A good album - I am now a fan. I will be adding this to my rotation of albums.

Really liked this more than his 2024 release. Good beats, decent grooves, nice transitions. Piano ballad was a highlight.

Alas, I have reached album number 200. I am familiar with Michael Kiwanuka, but not this particular album. A lot of reviews for this extoll it as a hidden gem of modern music, and it's the best-rated 2010s album on the site. And I can see why; it's a good neo-soul album. Kiwanuka has a great voice, and the songs are well written. The melodies on display are catchy and undeniably soulful, with strong lyrics for the genre. Simply put, this is a good album that more than holds it's own against classics of the genre and eats a lot of other lesser-known British music for breakfast.

8/10

4/5. The best new discovery for me so far in this project. Love the production on this album and Michael Kiwanuka is a strong vocalists who is a perfect match for this sound.

8/10 Favorite: Piano Joint (This Kind Of Love)

This has a very old school vibe.

Добротный нео-соул с приятным саундом и аранжировками, но без откровений

This album was a surprise. Very happy to be introduced to this artist and I will 100% listen to more of his stuff. I love how he doesn’t stick to one style. Started very strong with You Ain’t the Problem and Rolling, but the album dragged after Final Days. But a very solid album over with songs I will listen to over and over.

"You aint the problem" is a great song.

Morceau préféré : l’instru de « living in Denial », « You ain’t the problem » est très sympa, ainsi que « I’ve been dazed » (mélancolie/rêve). « Piano joint » et son intro sont sympa aussi. « Hero » est bien mais intro inutile. Album intéressant, je ne connaissais pas du tout ce style. Quelques très bonne musique, d’autres moins bien. Usage intense du fuzz (saturation guitare électrique), parfois trop à la limite de la saturation totale. Voix un peu country. Les introductions sont un peu longues parfois. Note : 7,5/10

This shit was beautiful

I've never heard of Michael Kiwanuka, so this was an enjoyable surprise. "Rolling," "I've Been Dazed," and "Hero" were standouts for me, and the the first half in particular is solid. It fades toward the end for me, but I'll keep an ear out for more from him.

Need to relisten with lyrics on front of me. Damn good.

Brand new to me, only got one listen in but enjoyed it, will revisit so it gets 4 stars

My rating 3.8. What a fantastic surprise. This is a great album. Love the mix of soul and R&B.

just a lush, grand, and sprawling musical experience. this was a fun surprise! def one i gotta revisit

I can't help thinking that with better marketing he might be a lot more successful. The album art isn't particulrly flattering. But this is a good listen with some fine songs.

Begge tomlane opp! Drømmande og melankolsk

A lot of the same textures of his earlier albums are here as well, don't fix what it broken I guess. I enjoyed it, Michael Kiwanuka can make good songs that sound timeless. The entire album works well as an album too. Can't find much fault with it, other than it seems that Michael Kiwanuka doesn't relaly push himself much.

Probably the smoothest and coziest soul album in this whole list. It is absurd how well produced this record is. Not to put to shame the performances from Michael Kiwanuka, the choirs and the instruments, but I truly think that Danger Mouse very warm production is what elevated the quality of this project by basically making it ear candy. But this album is not just high definition audio. The songs also display a great arrange of emotions: song like "You Ain't the Problem", "Rolling" and "Hero" are very charming and uplifting while others like "Final Days" and "Solid Ground" show a more melancholic and introspective side. In addition, some tracks even present a sense of progression by adding elements as they pass. I think the best example for this is "I've being Dazed" which starts with quiet singing and a very prog/ psychedelic rock riff (that reminded me a lot to "The Dark Side of The Moon"). Then the drums and pianos are incorporated with some electronics in the ground and in the middle point the choir starts singing, with some strings coming after a while. So in the end, the songs feel way bigger than it started. In conclusion, this was an incredibly cozy experience with some very smooth performances.

"Light" music, like in a tv series. Possibly will listen in a car.

Once in a while this list has some really great stuff that, while I don't think are great picks for the list itself, are still great albums. Take Me Apart by Kelela is another one (haven't gotten it yet, but I have listened before). The guitars go hard on some of the songs, especially Hero. My other standout is the opener, You Ain't The Problem. I will say, a lot of it is a little on the chill side for my tastes, but its still great. Overall, just some really great psychedelic soul.

This was a vibe, the songs sounded good and we liked them.

lowkey slayy bija

Quite a pleasant discovery I must say -- Kiwanuka provided beautiful music throughout the album and supplemented them with his lyrical reflections.

Fantastic transitions between songs and a very strong focus to quality music and piercings lyrics

Es mejor de lo que me llegue a imaginar, me gusto mucho, es reconfortante

Took me by surprise how much I enjoyed this. Just a really beautfiully sounding album.

This album has alot of the things i like in music. upright piano, Orchestra strings,choirs and smooth drum lines. almost has a diy vibe to it. alot of overdrive and fuzz on the background vocal and just in general . sounds like it comes from a different era, like 1970's. it has elements of funk, blue, old r&b, soul and some other things cant really name because i cant put my finger on them. honestly this was really good album.

This is the music. I don't know I ran out of words this album is nice. 4/5

Best Track - "You Ain't The Problem"

Really good album, good tunes and I really like his voice. I had been recommended this when it came out but didn’t get round to listening to it but glad I did 4.2

It was a cool album. I’ll be checking out more of their work.

Very good. I was disappointed because the first was so upbeat that it made me think that's how the album was gonna go, but everything else was so opposite to that. It still was a very good listen.

Really enjoyed this, it even surprised me a little as to how good it sounded. It might be a little front loaded, at least it seemed that way on first listen, and I think there was 1-2 tracks in the middle that had me wondering if the quality was going to take a dive from the opening half that had previously wowed me, but fortunately it managed to get back on track.

3.75 perché non è un 4 pieno ma mi piace molto. Probabilmente sale con ascolti successivi

His best album as a whole and you fly through the entire thing.

Really enjoyed this - love finding a new person, very peaceful/good to work listening to

Sonoridade fascinante, com uma produção que soa um pouco abafada em certas faixas (em particular a primeira). Muito interessante ouvir um take moderno de soul depois de dois álbuns dos anos 70, ainda que ele apresente uma estética retro.

8/10

Hat erst beim zweiten Durchlauf gezündet.

Big fan of this album, listened to it many many times and I think it'll be a timeless great album for a long time..

For a 2019 album I was surprised that I had never even heard of the artist. But wow this is good, and I’m pleased to see the rating average on here is so high. I can’t speak for cultural significance but this is definitely a good modern pick based on its quality

Amazing lyrical mashup of so many genres. I felt the same way ad when I first listened to Stevie Wonder’s Songs in the Key of Life - this album goes straight to some deep part of the self that recognizes a true visionary.

What a wonderful suprise—so good!

It was very good but all the songs had very similar vibes so it got a bit tiring after a little. I particularly enjoyed ' You ain't the problem '

Better than I had expected

A perfect album when you’re in your 20s. Has such an artsy vibe that I’m always craving in music. Really nice, comfortable. Great for spring time, when everything is blooming again and coming to life. This is your coming of age anthem.

Äntligen ett lite nyare album! Hade aldrig hört talas om Kiwanuka sen tidigare. Vilken resa man fick gå igenom i detta album, och produktionen, o introna till vissa låtar som flawlessly gick in i själva låten (t.ex. piano joint och hero) Vissa låtar mer melankoliska och andra mycket fart i som början av albumet, "you aint the problem" lite afro-vibbar med trummorna och viben. Roliga adlibs som påminner lite om childish gambino stuk. Keep it rocking Kiwanuka, LA LALALA LA LA 7.5/10

Like the Weeknd, but more digestible or something.

Not bad. Pretty chill vibes, which were perfect for a morning listen

I really like Michael’s voice and will be listening to the album again

3.5/5

I have never heard of Michael Kiwanuka before, so going into this album I wasn't sure what to expect, but this was a pleasant surprise. I don't think there's a bad song on the track list. It was nice to hear a modern album made in the last decade, there are very few of those on this list. I do think at times this album is doing too much in terms of sound, while somehow simultaneously sounding a bit one note. However, overall I did enjoy this record, and thought it was a fine addition to this list. Four stars. (Favorite track: You Ain't the Problem.)

Jos jedan solidan album, dobar vibe. 7/10 Najbolja pisma: Hero

Decent 4/5

> the Beatles

I was going to give this a 5 but the back off the album slowed down for me. I'm so glad this website introduced me to this album.

This album is pretty cool, it has such a full sound to it and does have a soul feel but with a kick to it. Wasn’t too familiar with Kiwanuka’s work overall but was really impressed with the ability to genre mix on here. Had some soul, funk and worked in some really good psych-rock into the mix. Kiwanuka’s vocals are super smooth as well, had me thinking of Tunde from TV on the Radio on the second track. Really enjoyed the variety of this one. Good stuff, 4 stars

The general consensus from other reviews seems to be that this is great but no one had heard it before. I'd agree with that, my only slight downside is a few of the songs drag a bit, but that's also just my preference for his faster, more classic soul stuff

Never heard of this artist but I enjoyed the album. Good vibe. Favorite track is “Light”.

Hadn’t heard this before but liked it. Not surprised to learn afterwards that Danger Mouse was involved.

nice

An excellent modern soul album. Danger Mouse's production never disappoints

I had never heard of this before and didn’t know what to expect. Really enjoyed it. Great voice and the music compliments it extremely well.

This album surprised me. it is not what I expected it would be. I need to revisit this album and give it a proper review. Stand out songs: Rolling Piano Joint (intro) Piano Joint Another Human Being Final Days

Not sure why I felt so skeptical going into this because I ended up quite liking it. As the album went on I feel like the songs maybe became less stand out but overall they create a very soothing and relaxing tone.

Echt cool, vor allem so nebenbei oder beim lernen

new artist I’ve never heard of! Enjoyed the beats, the music, the vocals and lyrics! gonna add him to my radar

“What do I call this music?” was one of the first things I was thinking about when listening to this. Something about this kind of reminds me of The Car by Arctic Monkeys, but then again it’s completely different. I feel like “Light” and “Perfect Sense” from The Car connects in some way but I can’t say anymore about the genre. This is a quality I actually really like. It’s nice to listen to music that doesn’t have a clear definition of genre for once in a while. Who the hell hears this and immediately goes “That’s gotta be Phsychedelic Soul!”. Micheal Kiwanuka had been told by record labels to chance his artist name because it would be hard to promote with. It’s pretty forgettable because of its length. Luckily he didn’t and in this album he sure wears it with honor, almost like a medal. His unique genre is very simple but amazes me every time I listen. Songs like “I’ve Been Dazed” and “Piano Joint” are both really simple, but everything just works so good together. The record has smooth transitions, an one-of-a-kind atmosphere and the ability to expand your music taste if you give it a fair chance (trust). Only 2 things I didn’t really like was the overall production which made me skeptical that this was from 2019, and the drum cymbals on “Rolling” which would get annoying during the chorus. My favorite song was “Hard To Say Goodbye”.

Decent 4

This album started out super strong with this sort of new jazz, rhythmic trance feel. Towards the middle / end I felt it slowed down a bit. I feel like if I saw this played live, or listened in a different setting (late night, sipping on a cold drink) I would probably appreciate it even more. I may revisit this again sometime soon to try out that theory. Still an enjoyable listen and good vibe all around.

Damn, this is great and is a refreshing treat after yesterday's album! I can't believe I'd never even heard of Michael Kiwanuka! Such a smooth, cool, soulful vibe, but with very interesting instrumentation that somehow feels both modern and straight out of the 70s at the same time. I'm definitely going to check out more of his music.

Good album. "Psychedelic soul". 70s feel. I think the producers (Danger Mouse and Inflo) had a larger influence than normal.

I liked it, different and didn’t know it

Interesting and soulful, this is a solid album. I was unfamiliar with his work prior, but I might need to look into it more. There was a lot of late 90s inspiration in this, along with a fair amount of added funk and a bit of the psychedelic atmosphere. Unique and certainly worth the time.

4.5 (51:13, 14 tracks, 3rd album, 2019) Soul (Psychedelic Soul, World Music, Rock) Really liked this album, soul is not my go to genre and generally anything 'psychedelic' is a turn off (dislike the phrase "psychedelic soul"). First track I assumed this would be a "World Music" (meaning African) album but it most certainly is not. It draws from a lot of different genres. Won Mercury Prize, was nominated by Grammy's for best rock album. Probably the first (maybe the best thing about this album) is the lyrics are outstanding (Dimery is unabashed about his lean towards singer songwriters). The album is mostly a self-affirmation album. Sing about love but from an introspective exploratory perspective (oppositive of 'gansta rap'). Also in 2019 Micheal (I'm calling him this, can't pronounce his last name) released a true 'album' in album format (kind of a dying art) with intros (almost like skits in hip - hop, a lot of hip hop in this album) Tidbits Produced by Danger Mouse - this is probably the source of the 'psychedelic' Cover Art I really dislike - I thought this was going to be a world album. I dislike the Motter Ombra font. I don't like the painting. I think it completely detracts from how awesome this album is as one goes in with an incorrect notions (maybe Micheal's intention?) He address racism but it an afterthought in the album. It definitely address social identity but not through the lens of a black man. Track Listing - Favorite tracks marked with * 1.* "You Ain't the Problem" 4:09 2. "Rolling" 2:51 3. "I've Been Dazed" 4:25 4. "Piano Joint (This Kind of Love) (Intro)" 2:18 5.* "Piano Joint (This Kind of Love)" 3:51 6. "Another Human Being" 1:51 7. "Living in Denial" 3:31 8. "Hero (Intro)" 1:20 9.* "Hero" 3:19 10. "Hard to Say Goodbye" 7:05 11. "Final Days" 4:10 12. "Interlude (Loving the People)" 2:42 13*. "Solid Ground" 3:53 14. "Light" 5:48 Michael Kiwanuka is a British (go figure, 1001 sure has a UK-centric lean) citizen

Love the sound, and a cohesive album. Great voice and interesting music.

This was really nice prolly a 4

Lovely retro vibes, I don’t think he knows how to make a bad record.

Music that can heal your soul!

cool. different. chant. groove.

I really liked this album and can see myself listening to it often when I am doing homework or relaxing.

This artist was new to me. Super enjoyable. Easy listening.

This was a very unique album and overall sounds very beautiful. I thought the intros to some of the songs were very interesting too. My overall favorites were: You ain't the problem, Hero, Rolling and Hard to Say Goodbye.

The production was really great. It's a genre I don't usually listen to, so I'm glad I checked it out. It had a strong start but towards the later half it felt like the songs started to mesh together, not necessarily a bad thing but it made the later half slightly less memorable. Michael Kiwanuka has a lovely voice which brought depth to the music. Definitely worth the listen.

Really strong start to the album. This kind of love is great. I thought the album slowed down as it went on.

j’aime beaucoup

it’s like listening to someone’s journey through the the midwest (?) (not really but kinda) the instrumentals are realllyyyy good and his vocals are very soulful notable mentions: final days, instrumentals at the end of light are making me ascend

Absolutely loved this album - easy listening, great vibes. I loved his voice and this album immediately made me wanna listen to his other stuff

First album to get a relisten so far, i think I wavered between absolutely loving it and then kinda fading out but the general vibieness is top tier and particularly the end of the album stood out. Sometimes the sound quality got a bit gristly but i genuinely couldn't tell if that was intentional or my headphones - not my favourite musical texture if that is a feature and apologies to Mr Kiwanuka if it’s not. The production really stands out and any song that showcased that was a standout - with enough of said songs that i reckon this is going in the rotation. Also just exciting to have something from the last 10 years!

I really liked this! Much more my speed but also outside of my wheelhouse, insofar as I probably wouldn’t have found this album on my own. The first track was the only one to download/save offline before I got on the plane to Saigon so I have a particular affinity to “You ain’t the problem” because I listened to it on repeat (and also because it’s a fun track!!). KIWANUKA in its totality really felt like AN ALBUM to me. I love the highs and lows and the change of pace throughout, I felt like I went on a journey. “Hero” is the other highlight for me at this point, but I can certainly see this album making it into my rotation. 4 🌟!

Masterful tone, and a couple of the songs at the front really grab me. Was a big influence on Harville

Good rainy day music. Retro soul with modern instrumentation.

8/10

Det va interessant, sjøl om det ikke traff mæ helt akkurat i dag, men det handla mer om lytteren enn om musikken, så sånn sett ga Kiwanuka mersmak.

Great album! This dude can jam

I liked it lowkey

Uplifting

I was really impressed by this one. It reminded me a little bit of Daniel Caesar, but I connect a lot with this one. In a ways it is very uplifting about personal struggles and I was very moved by a lot of songs, specifically Living In Denial and Solid Ground. Goddamn were those songs powerful. I didn't really care for the interludes but this was fantastic. 9/10

Really liked this album it felt refreshing compared to what I’ve been listening to. My favorite song was you ain’t the problem as the lyrics reached out to me.

Really enjoyed this album and I can't believe I'd not heard it yet! Probs 4 stars

Muy buen disco, no es el género que suelo escuchar, pero me sorprendió que me gustó el instrumental y, sobre todo, la letra, que puede ser utilizada como soundtrack en donde el personaje principal tiene su momento de realización mental. Me identifico con “You ain’t the problem”.

God is made up bullshit, but if it can inspire this, then halle-fucking-lujah!

Oh wow. This is a pageant, majestic. I am very glad to be introduced to it. He is clearly a talent, the music is lush and rich, and I’m sure it will reward future listens.

im definitely going to listen again; such a nice surprise! songs i saved: - you ain't the problem - rolling - piano joint (this kind of love) - living in denial (that introoooo) - light

Chill, real emotions, feeling of freedom Soul music - references to the civil rights movement, Martin Luther King Jr., black oppression A piece of art

Interesting stuff. Not my usual thing but easy to listen to with some real toe tappers.

me gustó la mayoría mucha vibra a tyler the creator y mf doom 😛

Man, this album is a vibe. Very dream-like. Has a real timeless quality to it. I was listening to this wondering why I'd never heard of this guy before. Surely I'd've heard one of these tracks on the oldies stations... But no, this album dropped in 2019. Ha. Hard to pick a favourite track. "Hero" seems like the popular choice, but the album sure sounded strong too with "You Ain't the Problem". For my money, "Hard To Say Goodbye", a sprawling seven-minute soundtrack-to-a-movie-sounding thing, is the one.

I excepted to hate it as I don't like soul, escpecially modern one, but this one turned out to be good. Soothing and enjoyable listening, songs and production are good.

Red hot chilli peppers vibes. Interlude was very relaxing.

Overall Rating - 3.50/5 (7.00/10). Good album. No idea what to expect, and it turned out to be very jazzy and pleasant to listen to.

Beautiful music to get lost in. No skip album. 4.5 stars

Beautifully arranged and recorded, these songs are moving and dynamic. Michael Kiwanuka’s voice is absolutely stunning. Everything from the tight drums, psychedelic guitars, and gorgeous string passages delivers a sublime, soulful listen. Glad to have been introduced to this one.

4/5 Buenos instrumentos, me gustó la voz del artista, no es mi género favorito pero algunas canciones me gustaron.

what a surprise, hit jackpot from the very first time! groovy af, the melody is sweet, funky, and somewhat upbeat! felt like a handshake from an old friend who you reconcile with after several years spent apart.

good album, never really listened to anything like that before I enjoyed it

His best record for me, the one where he graduated from fulfilling his youthful ambition of making records that sounded like Bill Withers* to fully realising an identity of his own. *though some of this still does, and why not

Easy listen, chill vibe Stand-outs - Rolling - Hero - Solid ground

fun album fun sounds

Loved it!

Ouvi esse álbum na segunda-feira, dia 22 de dezembro, a energia dele é forte, diferente do que eu tô acostumada a ouvir agora. Em alguns aspectos me lembrou algo que o meu pai escutaria e também a música que o herói escuta quando volta a acreditar em si mesmo. especial highlights para a faixa "i've been dazed".

Really good

Lovely retro modern soul sound.

I will give it a second listen, but it has some beautiful and touching songs. I felt it.

Wonderful album- one that’s hard to find a shining star or fave single bc the album flows seamlessly. Nice concept album and an easy listen on a Sunday morning.

First song was amazing. The later ones are good, but didn’t do much for me. Pretty solid album overall.

Not bad actually. Jazzy, I dont like jazz.

Great, amazing voice. I need louder music but this album is well written

Very inspired piece of music that I hasn’t listened to in a long time. Has an extremely reassuring quality to it that is difficult to explain but soothes the soul

Interesting find! Family loved it and will look for again.

Great interesting modern album

Excellent album. Strong vocals, great music, all round goodness here

Another familiar artist and album.

красиво, стильно. но длинновато и местами скучновато немного

Great sound throughout with some amazing songs strewn in. Very pleasant to listen to.

Goes alittle longer than needed but this is the stuff I was hoping to find here

This is quite good! Like most of the other reviewers here, I'd never heard of this fella AND I'm pleasantly surprised by the range of genres and quality of the music and songwriting. His voice is smooth, soulful, and strong. Likable. The music does range across a few styles, but doesn't really dig too deeply into any. That could be bad or good as it makes him hard to define or recommend to a list. But, I guess works for him because you could slot some into any number of types of playlists. I tend to refer artists that span genres. even though I know it makes it harder for them to find a niche. There are just a couple of fillers on here. It would benefit the album to remove maybe two songs that aren't as grabby. Maybe "Solid Ground" and "Light" as they're ok, but not memorable to me. I will definitely listen to this again and some of the tunes are already slotted onto playlists. Will check out more by him, too. I want to give it a 4.5 and I'm pretty stingy about giving 5's. While I definitely like it, I don't think it's earth-shaking, so we're going with a 4.

Soulful

Bra kvälls och billyssningspop a la Lloyd Cole. Fyra

Really enjoyable album

Never heard of this guy... really liking the vibe. Feels like a male Sade. Could see vibing to this again.

good

8 / 10

Stunning voice, though I don't think his best album still quality

Really great lo-fi guitar album. Would listen to this again 100%. Not really something I would find in my rotation daily, but really solid.

light, colourful, fun

Preaching? I don't think so. Thinking? Always, but that does not seem to be its source. Solidifying? Yessir. Letting go? Absolutely. Kiwanuka does a remarkable job marrying the sentiments of an indie band like Radiohead and a soul-barer like Bill Withers. For that, we should commend him, but it takes more than an impressive incorporation of influences to make great or even decent music. Fortunately, Kiwanuka passes the ear-test as well: the record is loaded w/ more than a share of hard-hitters and soulful rock tunes that don't only give pleasure but make it as well. Its only want is lyrical: 'I thought I could break away / I hope I fall in love today'; 'Am I a hero? / Am I a hero now?'; 'You are my air to breathe / You're just like a honey bee.' Hm.

Great talented tunes, thx!

Pretty good stuff! Soulful, mellow, entertaining, pleasant and full of variety. Enjoyable.

LOVE Beste sang: Solid ground

4 out of 5 Surprisingly great. Deep soulful rock

Super cool hello!? Production and songs were immaculate! Massive fan of this record! I only knew one of his songs before this

I knew the opening song before (which is still a highlight) but wow what an awesomely produced album with great tunes. Real great. Love his voice so much it’s so unique. Sort of like Reggie watts in a way.

класс

Gorgeous voice, unique genre. Pleasure to listen to

Excellent!

Kinda funky and experimental in a way but still rocks hard with guitar licks and such

gechillt, ganz gut

I really liked this! Soulful, loungy, modern folk with nice vocals. I liked the musical variation and the beats. I also like the cover but it's nothing special, that's a 3/5.

Lovely to listen to this in full, I had heard 1-2 songs before

To say I was skeptical going into this album would be an understatement, but I was pleasantly surprised. I wasn’t expecting it to have as much rock influence as it did. Also I love Kiwanuka’s voice. So full of soul and passion. Really solid. Standout Songs: You Ain't The Problem Rolling I've Been Dazed Hero Hard To Say Goodbye Solid Ground

Where cold heart

Lush soundscapes and soulful emotive vocals