Reviews (page 7 of 13)
I like all of the different musical genres and elements used.
4 out of 5. It's refreshing to see something more newer on this list and sounding really good.
Fantastic groove, atmospheric and rocking in equal measure.
Nice listening experience
Prachtig album. Misschien niet z'n gekendste, maar blijft overeind staan tussen zijn andere kleppers. 3.7
Kiwanuka managed to create his own quite unique style and it’s refreshing. Soulful delivery. 4.1
First exposure to this album and artist. I enjoyed it.
I thought it was only stuff pre 2010, let's go This album was a lot of fun, smooooth is the best word I can think of to describe the project as a whole, just really silky to listen to
I'm so happy to see albums like these on here. Truly an amazing album and is taking me out of feeling stuck. Hero is the standout track for me, could listen that song and its intro over and over again.
good intimistic songwriter
This is completely new to me, but sounds somehow familiar. Not my usual style of music but interesting enough to want to come back to.
8/10
This was a beautiful album with great vibes. I’d never heard of this album or artist but it was right up my alley. I would listen to this again and encourage others to give it a listen!
На перший погляд цей альбом може здаватись простим атмосферним соулом - він красивий, неспішний, з приємним вінтажним саундом. Але за кілька прослуховувань стає ясно — це одна із найінтимніших і найболючіших речей. Весь альбом пронизаний сумнівом, тривогою, та пошуком тепла у цьому жорстокому світі. Але при цьому в ньому багато надії - щиро та без жодного пафосу. Також не можна не відмітити який же це смачний коктейль із різних жанрів та впливів: струнні, душевний грув, трохи психоделії, трохи блюзу, трохи фанк-у. Він про пошук себе, про невпевненість, про тиху віру в людей, яка весь час тримається на волосинці. І найбільшою помилкою яка може бути - це слухати цей альбом фоном. Цей альбом абсолютно зовсім інший, і через подібний підхід - можна не зрозуміти його величі. Це той соул , що не просто потребує уваги - він буквально «пропонує тобі лопату», аби ти разом з ним почав копати в глибину себе. Неймовірно цікаве переосмислення соулу, та і загалом один із найсильніших альбомів 10-х.
Not what I expected. Cinematic, and often quite lovely.
Funky, thumpy but electric in all the right places. Kiwanuka crafts groovy beats seemingly effortlessly in his namesake album. Will be a repeat listen for me. Wonderfully mixed and produced, happy to have been introduced to "KIWANUKA".
Another new artist for me. Really digging the vibe. Perfect music for Sunday morning walk with my dog. Get me in the right mood. Will need to check his catalog out now too
A lot more of a complex and rich album than I gave credit for on first listen when it was released. Kiwanuka's sometimes delicate, sometimes beaming vocals add a completely distinctive layer on top of gorgeous, soulful, glitchy, electronic prog-soul ballads. Best Tracks: - Rolling - Living In Denial - My Hero - Final Days Worst Tracks: - Light Rating: 8/10
This was really good.
You Ain’t the Problem was a hell of a way to start an album! Loved the sound/vibe. Will listen again
Još jedan od onih albuma koji su odlični ali ne za mene. Glas nije moj fazon, muzika je odlična, ništa ne smeta, nego jednostavno nije moj stil.
Very talented. The songs are all very well produced and they flow well together. Not something I'd likely listen to again though. I think the opener was my favorite. "You Ain't the Problem", will make the 1001 songs playlist. ~3.7 stars
Nice discovery. Mellow and pleasant for relaxing.
Started off a little wishy-washy but the longer it played the stronger the bond it made. Felt like climbing a rock face, excellent album overall.
This is actually pretty unique and good, nice discovery
Idk how to even describe this music, but it was so my vibe this morning when I listened to it while I was at the gym. It was so funky, soul-ish, and vibey! It was a perfect spring morning workout album. I think I’m going to add a few of the songs to my liked playlist. It was just such a vibe I would rate it a 7.5 7.5
Beautiful album. It kept me calm while I mowed the lawn in the sun. He has an incredible voice and a delivery that is full of passion and pathos. I dare anyone to listen to this and not feel swept away at some point. I’m taking away a point because it’s a little long and meandering and there aren’t any huge memorable hits, but it’s still a wonderful album and a must-listen. #126
Was not familiar with Michael before this. Enjoyed this quite a bit. A lot of Marvin Gaye and Bill Withers type sounds with Michael's own voice to it. Lots of good ambient sounds too.
remember this guy from that black thought and danger mouse album. fucking love that album and the song he's on on it. curious to hear his solo material really refreshing while still feeling like a throwback to 60s/70s psych soul and rock. good shit. danger mouse and inflo produced this whole album omg i like it so much more that I know that
This was rather nice and the type of thing I hoped I would discover much more of in this project. I enjoyed it.
I liked this album. It's definitely not my normal listening but it was very enjoyable. I would definitely return to it. 3.75/5
This is the good shit that I'm glad this endeavour makes me listen to, a genre bending tour de force that I never knew existed.
Very giid
I think I like the previous album better, but there's something about Michael Kiwanuka that feels very eternal and classic. It's just a good vibe. I would probably go 3.5, but bumping.
Would probably be three stars if it wasn’t new
This was a great listen. There was a few songs I recognized as well as an over all pleasant listening experience. I will listen again.
Good one
This was a Friday listen for me. Monday night has rolled around and I have played this through another 3-4 times. I was hooked by the first couple of notes from "You Ain't the Problem" (my favourite track by far), and I was pleased that the album stayed interesting for the remainder. Nice experimental soul grooves with nods to the master's who came before. Made for sunny weekend mornings with coffee in hand.
Very good
Love it
Piano Joint (This Kind of Love) - slaps Transitioning into Another Human Being - pure gold
I’ve actually had this album on my Spotify saved playlist for a few years now. I definitely go back and listen to it occasionally because I really really enjoy the sound. The mix of funk, rock, and the bongos on the opening track sets the stage for a super pleasant listening experience. Kiwanuka is such a treat.
Super smooth!! He’s got an amazing voice and thoroughly enjoyed it all the way through. I didn’t recognize his name at first but then I discovered I had a song of his already, “cold little heart” which was the theme song from big little lies which seemed to be everywhere for a couple of years there.
A rare gift from the list, a solid album from someone I’ve never heard of that I’ll definitely come back to listen to. Smooth instrumentals and great vocals, an album that you can throw on to have playing in the background and it does the trick. Not quite a five, but a high four.
It was a good listen
Love his music. Love and Hate is my favorite. Hadn’t listened to this one yet so glad to be prompted to do so.
Great soul-influenced pop tunes by a great vocalist.
Is the guy on the cover supposed to be a king? "You Ain't The Problem" was good. I liked the bongo drums and brass. The lyrics are also good. I thought "Piano Joint" was good. The piano was nice and the singing voice was really good. The lyrics were good too. I liked "Hero" because the guitar was great. I liked the singing and the lyrics" I would recommend this album.
Jazzy bluesey, good moody music
I did not use a private spotify session despite not knowing what I was getting in to. A bit nervous at first how the album started, but it mellowed out nicely and turned out to be quite enjoyable. Listened this album twice and then some of Kiwanuka's other stuff. Never heard of him before, now going to go on a deep dive. This is definitely why I signed up this project.
Interesting and different. I dig it.
I've heard one song from Michael Kiwanuka within the past year: "Floating Parade" from his most recent album, Small Changes. He is a British singer-songwriter influenced by old-school folk, psychedelic rock, and soul artists. He started as a session player until his breakthrough in 2012, and for the second time with this self-titled release, he chose to work with veteran producer Danger Mouse and fellow UK producer Inflo. With all the ingredients in place, how did KIWANUKA turn out? Well, this is certainly a classic-sounding record from the onset. Danger Mouse and Inflo took a lot of care in the production to make the album sound reflective of those soul artists of the past without going full-hog into the nostalgia worship. The fuzzed-out guitars, the eloquent strings, and the slight reverb touch on Michael's vocals; all these elements come together to make these songs pop. Also helping matters is the sound of Michael coming more into his comfort zone within this sound, at times delivering with a laid-back passion that would merit comparisons to Bill Withers. As a result, it's an overall enjoyable from the beginning with booty-shakers like "You Ain't the Problem" and "Rolling" to the warmly textured closing ballad "Light". That said, there is one glaring issue I have with KIWANUKA, and that is the interlude tracks. I counted four different interlude tracks on this album - two intro tracks for the singles "Hero" and "Piano Joint (This Kind of Love)", "Another Human Being", and "Interlude (Loving the People)". Aside from maybe the last of those, with the audio excerpt over the strings, low-end synths, and piano line, the interludes do not add much value to the album. They could have been cut, and there would have been nothing lost from the experience. Aside from the interludes, this was an excellent record. The combined effort of Michael Kiwanuka and the producers he worked with culminated in an effort that carved a new path for soul music in the modern age.
I enjoyed this. I may even enjoy it more on repeated listens, it's got that sort of feel about it. 4/5.
"Final days" is a fantastic song!
nice
It was a good album with some listenable songs. Maybe not quite my style, but definitely something I could enjoy listening to. 3.5 stars
Good album that's actually really pleasant to listen to.
Great vibe!
I like Michael Kiwanuka’s voice and guitar in a lot of these. You Ain’t the Problem, I’ve Been Dazed, and Hero were the standouts to me. 4 stars.
Lush production, great catchy tunes, almost perfect apart from the slightly reedy vocal now and again. A find.
I was surprised to see this on the list ahead of the earlier and better known Love and Hate. More experimental but lacking the big songs of the former, this is still a fine outing.
6/10
Good layered record
Very enjoyable and easy to listen to. Old school wound, good instrumental backing and good funky groove. Reminiscent of old soul music
Enjoyable album in the psychedelic soul genre. Nice atmosphere. Groove is nice and clean.
first one i got. pretty damn good. i danced with hannah to it while i made pancakes. i hope i actually do this.
So good!! 2010s take on 1970s. Beautiful.
This was pretty good. It had a groove that I could sink into and vibe with, although I'm not sure how much of that is Danger Mouse, because he's been a pretty important part of a ton of great albums for about two decades now. I think he's aiming for the same target Teddy Swims is, and I have pretty much the same feeling for both artists. I like what they're doing, but I'd like to see them experiment a bit more. I have not listened to any other music by Kiwanuka, but he's on my radar now.
For me so far, the albums from the last 15 or 20 years have been pretty bad but this is great and I had never even heard of it. It moves through all sorts of genres and eras, it's hard to really pin down, which I found really refreshing. It's unpredictable because of that and it made me keen to continue listening. Living in Denial is a good example, with the horns and choir vocals (?) giving a big band kind of vibe before shifting to quite lowkey vocals backed by subtle guitar arpeggios I love the psychedelic distortion of the guitar on tracks like Hard To Say Goodbye, and the way the guitar slowly descends into noisy chaos on Hero as the rest of the song continues as it started. Starts with a bang on You Ain't the Problem and Rolling. The kind of western riff on Rolling is cool, along with the accompanying flutes. There are also more sparse and atmospheric moments to break things up and add variety. The soulful Piano Joint builds an atmosphere with minimal instrumentation outside of the pulsing beat and piano, I thought that was cool A pleasant surprise, got to be the best post-2000 album I've had to this point Highlights: Rolling, Hero, Hard To Say Goodbye
It's been a while but I think I remember thinking this album was cool
This was a really fun listen. Will keep in the rotation.
As much as I love Michael Kiwanuka's music, and I do love it, I have some reservations to accept his albums in a list of the greatest records of all time. Maybe it is too much a designed sound, matching ideas to a blueprint of previous decades' masterpieces; maybe it's the fact that I wouldn't l know why to prefer his 2019 "Kiwanuka" album to his 2016 "Love & Hate" album; maybe it's the fact that these two albums represent less a development of artistic expression than a development of budget. This is not unusual in the last one or two decades: artists finding their niche, doing their thing and keep on doing it in basically the same way over again. And again. Look at Khruangbin, Cigarettes After Sex, Charley Crockett or other acts that release records, whose order of release dates are hard to guess from the audio information alone as they tend to sound pretty much of the same mold and go for some kind of timeless-and-a-liitle-retro sound. I know, bands like Status Quo or AC/DC have been doing this 50 years ago already. But possibly they would only get one of their records listed in this here top-1.000 canon due to the power of its tracks. So where's Kiwanuka's "Highway To Hell" tune-for-the-ages? Maybe not here yet. As of now I find him to be not too far removed from a indie-soul-fan's version of Lennie Kravitz: Nice to the ear, a go-to-recording artist if you want unoffensive , non-stupid music, sometimes really good if not great, always reliable good. So a good 4 star review it is. I still believe there should be 1.000 5 star albums out there though.
sehr nice!
Più melodico e molto chill. Top
👍
piano joint is a joint
Soft sound, fun
Wish there was a 4.5.
This is fucking brilliant!!! Piano joint (this kind of love) is really a banger. I saw he featured on untitled (black is) which I didn’t really like but this album’s great!!! Truly one of the surprises the generator holds 4/5
Really great album "Hero" is such a good one for sure a classic in a few years. The end of "Another Human Being" was kinda disturbing but the transitions with the beginning of the other songs are incredibleeee I loved it. And the vibe in general of this album was really great with such a deep and attracting voice.
Very soothing, very nice "Hero" - That guitar licc is awesome Nah this album is excellent, it flows so well Oh i didn't notice it was this recent. Not sure what to think. Am I so used to recent stuff that I only like when shit sounds modern ? Well that's kinda normal since that's all I have ever been listening to. Really gotta practice liking older stuff. 4.5
When i first started listening to this album i was baffled that it was a soul album made in 2019. But as i listened to it... It's a great album. Hits all of the tropes that make soul music so delightful to listen to. Will definitely spin this album in the future. 4.5
Vibrant nu-soul
Fun one
This is a massive success full of measured vocal performances layered on top of exquisite instrumental jams. Right off the bat, “You Ain’t The Problem” is an ear worm that sets a great tone for the album. “I’ve Been Dazed” is another great song just a few tracks later that goes on a nice little psychedelic exploration. The jams continue on “Piano Joint” which has this suspense-laden, Bond movie string section with a fantastic vocal performance. What follows is one of my favorite things in a good album, the use of relative silence to heighten the atmosphere. It’s at this point that I knew I was in for something special! I think that use of silence and creation of ‘space’ is what I’d most like to highlight about this album. It seems like Michael Kiwanuka is always hitting the right spot in terms of energy and emphasis - everything comes off so effortless. What sealed the deal for me was the transition between “Interlude” and “Solid Ground”. WOW. Just perfect. I’m treating this album as a gift for having gotten through my 3rd Byrds album in a few weeks. A STRONG 4/5 stars!
good soul album i like it
Produced by inflo and danger mouse so very high expectations. This lived up to expectations ngl
Most modern album thus far for me and that’s definitely evident musically but I’m happy to say it was quite enjoyable in parts. It gave me soulful frank ocean vibes with Michael wrestling with anxiety and love and change. It’s emotional and intense at times while attempting soothing undertones to provide a counterbalance. Piano joint is a beautiful song. Made me happy that a modern album added to this list wasn’t complete garbo
This was fun and something I’d have never listened to on my own. A surprising variety of genres across the album and an all round good listen!
One of my favorite surprises on this list so far! Michael Kiwanuka blends multiple genres and uses beautiful lyrics and captivating instrumentation to touch on topics including perseverance, love, and social injustice. Totally worthy of its Grammy nomination for best rock album.
Soulful but rocky in places too. Enjoyed this.
KIWANUKA self titled is soulful moody and beautiful . A few of these songs are headed for my R&B playlist I had heard love and hate before and think I still like it better but I’m sure there some familiarity bias there and I think this will age well
Dang, this is good.
Los primeros dos temas son BUENISIMOS: super alegres en un buen sentido y no es exagerado I ve been dazed muy catchy - INCREIBLE OUTRO Piano joint la melodia es otro nivel, esa acapella full psicodelica con el sonido de ambiente uf Las siguientes cortando en hero son GOD LIVING IN DENIAL 10/10 Hero se me hizo un toque repetitivo salvo el bridge que es god Hard to say goodbye con ese gospel angelical es hermoso GENERAL: MUY SOLIDO, GOOD VIBES ONLY CON MUCHO GOSPEL Y SOUL QUE ES UNA CARICIA AL ALMA
Really good tunes and feelings, thx!
I struggled to hear the music over the orgasms of 6music listeners. Music for boring white middle aged men by a young, exciting black man. A guardianistas dream and, in spite of myself, I too am not immune to these charms.
Nice
incredible voice and musically interesting. the bangers were my favorites, a few too many ballads for my taste but man is he good!
Pretty good.
This is an excellent album -- most of the songs had a great groove -- and we both want to listen to it again.
Great listen. A modern classic.
You Ain’t The Problem // I’ve Been Dazed // Piano Joint // Hero // Hard To Say Goodbye //
Excelente. Sentimental, melancólico , bem produzido,
I liked this album a lot, warm, well made soul/pop/singer-songwriter songs. Nothing spectacular, but very pleasant. I'll give it a 4 which is maybe a bit generous, but the bar for popular music is pretty low these days, in my opinion, so he deserves it. And it's authentic. Tick.
Suprised by the sound here I was impressed. I think the local alt radio used to play a few of these but damn it just hit. 8/10
Grown-up Soul for the 21st century.
Beautiful. Al Green crossed with James Taylor. Something to explore further.
Not his best but still good
a really cool album
I've been listening to this one since it came out, glad to see so many people are enjoying discovering it through this generator! I think Kiwanuka is super talented, and the songwriting and playing on this are great. However there's something about the production (I think maybe the mixing) that has always bothered me. I find it a bit cold or something, which makes it harder for me to connect emotionally to it. It does sound a lot better on vihyl though I think - maybe that's what they were going for.
8/10. Great. Started off better than it ended I think but overall great.
Fun stuff I found myself singing along to songs id never heard before. But nothing really grabbed me or made me sit up and pay attention. Still amazed I never heard of this guy.
Great album. Love Mike. He’s got a great voice. Good songwriting, good production, good lyrics, just *chefs kiss* mwah. Only wish there was a bit more breakup. Songs started to blend together a bit towards the end. Really enjoyed the whole thing, though. 4/5
I like Michael Kiwanuka’s voice and guitar in a lot of these. You Ain’t the Problem, I’ve Been Dazed, and Hero were the standouts to me. 4 stars.
I really like this, it's so smooth.
Fav song: Piano Joint This album reminds me of so many things I love about alternative music - i'm always hearing little bits of Air, Beck, Leon Bridges... really great album. Amazing voice, great lyrics and fantastic production value.
I had never heard this artist before but this is the first new music from this list I have enjoyed. I was pleasantly surprised and will listen again.
Ever since Home Again was released in 2011, I’ve been a Michael Kiwanuk fan and really he hasn’t let me down yet. This is another artist who has some of their best work alongside producer Inflo. This album also features co producer Dangermouse, you know Dangermouse I’m sure. Inflo has also produced for Little Simz, who we reviewed not too long ago. He also produced for Cleo Sol and is also the leader of the collective Sault. All of these projects are worth your time if you enjoy this album. Also, for a similar sound from contemporary artists, check out Black Pumas, Ray LaMontagne and Leon Bridges. 4.5
Ah, I really liked his Home Again album, but haven't heard anything after that. I'm excited to listen. This album definitely has a different vibe than his first one, with some psychedelic rock sounds, like Tame Impala-ish, and some Beck vibes. I'm here for it. Tracks 4 and 5 bring that traditional Kiwanuka vibe. Solid album here, with the only knock being the bad transitions between songs. It didn't flow as I would've liked. Hard to Say Goodbye was my favorite, and it's hard to say goodbye to this album. I see he has a new one out, so I'll cue it up. 4.
Oh god, yes. More please. This is more modern music I can get into. No sparse keyboard melody lines and dance-along drum machines. Actual singing and music and instrumentation and chords. AND a positive message. We get the best of modern fidelity with a nod to past stylings, all the while incorporating new sounds. There is a great amalgamation of this mix of past and present where some sampled instruments are programmed along with live instruments and loops. It is retro but new, but not in the sense of just arranging new songs to sound retro, like Anderson .Paak and Bruno Mars' great "Leave The Door Open", or Amy Winehouse's Back to Black album. This isn't new reaching backward, but old reaching forward. There is an authenticity here beyond just a cash-grab homage, steeped in bona fide genuineness and sincerity. There's also a bit of TV On The Radio here, but less bombastic and more groove and laid back, at times channeling Seal. A more lush and spiritual Lenny Kravitz, with some occasional Hendrix psychedelic guitar. Just listen how cinematic "Final Days" is! So happy to hear this stark contrast in relation to the direction that music has been going. It's not mind-blowing, but it is refreshing. I hope more young artists are inspired to continue to carry the torch.
An intriguing mix of retro and modern vibes. Soulful, heartfelt, atmospheric. I feel like I've been taken on a journey.
I was pleasantly surprised by this. Looking at the cover, I wasn't quite sure what to expect, but I ended up enjoying it. I like the retro sound. I'll definitely be checking out more.
Nice mix of both slow and melodic songs and high energy. Feels a bit messy as a first impression.
A very nice album of modern soul with a nice reverence for the classic soul of the 70s. A nice example being the song Living in Denial. The album sounds nostalgic without being stuck in a time warp. Has an intimacy that draws one in and rewards more than casual listens; Hero, Rolling, I've been Dazed. Kiwanuka also incorporates elements of psychedelia and folk that give his music an intensity and variety that makes it very engaging and displays his broad talent. A nice discovery that makes me want to delve deeper. 4 stars
Nice Rock/Neo-Soul album.
Flames
I’m very familiar with Michael Kiwanuka’s work. Timeless production evoking 60’s soul with a 21st century Indy aesthetic and beautifully crafted songs not to mention great delivery by a musical all-rounder. Standouts are : Black man in a white world, Hero, You ain’t the problem. He’s also a great ive performer. Check out his other albums
very good.
Not fully sure why this is on the list, but definitely a pleasant surprise. Kiwanuka has a great voice, instruments are awesome, and production by Danger Mouse was top. Easy 4*
Huge surprise, very refreshing!
Nice neo soul and string selection
dig it. not always my speed of storytelling lyric front tunes, but the aesthetic is great and got some fuzz
Soulful, layered production and lyrically strong. Sounds unique and you can hear influences from different genres. Have a feeling this will be a grower but great on the first listen.
Massive FOUR. His second album is his best for me.
I didn’t know much by this artist outside of the Big Little Lies theme song, but this was a really enjoyable listen. I will definitely check out some more of his stuff.
Soulful unveiling Self inspired persona piece Snuggled in warm tones
This is probably one of very few albums on this site that I have known since its release. It’s just a very solid record, simple yet effective songwriting and production and a really convincing old sound.
Never heard this whole album, really good
I actually really enjoyed this album. Some great melodies, rhythms and lyrics. Love the overall soulful vibe. Michael's vocals are great too. Definitely found an artist to return to.
I really want to give this album another listen on a day when there isn’t a snow storm coming in and I don’t have a shift at work and assignments due at 11 and two tests coming up and my AirPods are working so I don’t have to listen to it over my phone speakers. It sounded really promising, and although I can’t say I’m usually a ‘soul’ fanatic, I think this is a good album, interesting to me that I’ve never heard of it and it’s the first one to be recommended to me that’s of my time. I don’t know if this album is changing the course of history but I liked it and I think it’s well made. Really like those last 2 tracks. 4 stars, right on the money.
"Kiwanuka" is the third studio album by English singer-songwriter and musician Michael Kiwanuka. Indie rock, folk rock and soul are the Wiki-listed genres for his music and they all apply. The album was produced by Danger Mouse and Inflo who also contributed musically. The album had universal acclaim and won the 2020 Mercury Prize for the best album released in the UK and Ireland. Commercially, it #2 in the UK and #142 on the US Billboard 200. A Carribean-like percussion and guitar and a party-like noise open "You Ain't the Problem." The band kicks in with a fuzz guitar. Kiwanuka's soulful voice joins in a song about just being who you are. "Rolling" also has a fuzz guitar and sounds very retro 60's. This is the one song that I had heard before. It's about going at your own pace. "Piano Joint (This Kind of Love)" is best described as a piano ballad with drums. Kiwanuka's vocals have a melancholy tone. Stings are added building the drama. Kiwanuka was aiming for a 70's Gil Scott-Heron vibe and he pretty much gets it. Guitars play a more major role in "Hero." A strumming, a wah-wah and a fuzz guitar are all used in spots. Strings and soulful female backing vocals. He questions himself as to whether he'll be a hero. The album ends on a high note with "Light." Soft drums, strings, acoustic guitar and percussion. Kiwanuka singing and female backing vocals answering. He's seeing light at the end of his musical journey. An interesting female vocal fade for the outro. This is a soulful and very introspective album. Kiwanuka lyrics are introspective and personal without being specific if that makes sense. I hear 60's guitar, 70's soul, 70's soundtrack and pop ballads in the music. Kiwanuka says he was thinking of Gil Scott-Heron, Marvin Gaye and Isaac Hayes while writing this music and you can hear that. There's nice production with most of the songs have orchestration. Kiwanuka is also an exceptional guitarist. This was a very decent album that most will find something to like.
WOW! Amazing complexity and depth. Solid 4.
Good singer. Good songs.
Simply beautiful.
I wasn't sure what to expect from this, but wow, I was pleasantly surprised! Powerful lyrics, mellow jams, I liked it all the way through.
Good one
Wow, Love this voice. What a groove, I need more!
New to me, and terrific.
Very nice.
I enjoyed this album a lot more than I thought I would.
Not my kind of music but still I was delighted. Defenitely worth a replay. Honorable mention to "Living in Denial".
This album was such a smooth and warm trip. Kiwanuka’s voice beckons the 60s and 79s crooning largely lost in the modern area. Fantastic album. 4.5/5
Great artist and glad to have found out about them.
I feel like what this list chose to represent the last 5ish years of music has been pretty lackluster. However, this album seems to be the exception. Very artsy, great instrumentation, and no 2 songs sound alike. I went in with low expectations, but came out pretty surprised. It's really hard to describe this album it's kind of retro through back soul and jazz, but also kind of shoegaze and rock, and just a hint of electronic and dance. High 4.
I was fond of this one already. Looking forward to seeing how his career continues to develop.
This was a pleasant surprise. I'd never heard of this guy and this album was fantastic.
Zero expectations going in. Never heard of the dude. I'm a fan. One of those albums that's the whole reason I started this account. To hear something new.
Listened to the album before, but not “deeply”
This album had smooth vocals and included dreamy piano melodies that I enjoyed a lot. I had to listen a few times to really get the feel of it but I think I’ll be listening to this one again.
Just like you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, you shouldn't judge an album by its release date. When I saw that it was a 2019 album I thought "fuck me, another boring album" but I was completely wrong. The sound has great soul influences wrapped in a progressive and impactful atmosphere that matches the deep and intense lyrics. The album sounds like Bill Withers had collaborated with Pink Floyd or something...
What nourishes like gospel soul? ✅✅✅ You Ain't The Problem ✅✅✅ Hero
3.75
This is an extremely solid project and I love the style. There's elements of classic rock, reggae, psyche rock, and tons of soul and it all blends together to sound new and exciting. Every track on here is really solid and but special shoutouts to You aint the problem, Piano Joint, Hero, and Final Days. This is a surprise inclusion for me since I didn't hear much of it when it was released. Glad to hear it now.
So so good. Love some funk. his more upbeat stuff is what I'm more a fan of but still fire
Definitely not something I'd usually reach for, but overall pretty strong songwriting and nice production.
Excellent album that is on my spotify favorites. I have heard it many times and I really like it. It's different but still has a nice chill groove to it. I'm sure I will be listening to this one many more times. It's great to listen to at work or relaxing at home.
No idea what genre this is but I like it! A 4/5 bc I like it but it didn’t make me go crazy go stupid. I’ve been dazed sounds like a beautiful sunrise. Or like when the sun makes a visible ray thru a hole in the clouds. Kind of later Edward sharpe at some points. Feels like something a cool cousin would have on at their house when u come over. I feel like this album did CPR on some of my brain cells.
have you ever heard a song good as the album You Ain't The Problem I think that this album is good because of the singer and instruments I think the instruments sound good because they make a pretty rad sound and I think the singer is good because his voice fits the instruments good I think this album was good and I recommend listening to it.
Do you like upbeat music? If so, then this is the album for you! This album is upbeat because the background music from the instruments are really fast, and his voice is also fast and loud. So, that is why I recommend that you listen to this album.
the lyrics are amazing the instrumentals are good. i highly recommend. 8/10
Nice, calm, pretty, well made. Relaxing and easy to enjoy. Gets better with repeat listening. Nothing to complain about. 4/5
I liked it. Did not love it, but it was nice.
Heard a lot about this guy but wasn't sure what he sounded like. A lot to like about this record - his voice is really smooth and lovely to listen to, some nice tones throughout and whilst there were a few bits I wasn't into, overall I enjoyed it and would probably listen again.
Hope and melancholy go hand in hand. Actually comforting to listen to.
Loved it. Must come back to it again soon
Great. Similar to that one blue Childish Gambino album
Favourite tracks: hero; rolling; you ain't the problem
Har hatt lyst til å sjekke han ut lenge. Svært solid album, bra instrumentals og vokaler. Synes han høres skikkelig ut som Damon Albarn fra Gorillaz og Blur. Passer nok enda bedre i sommertider, og gir litt nostalgisk fifa vibes. I've been dazed er standout for meg, men alle sangene er solide. Hele albumet flyter egentlig veldig bra.
3.5 stars - pretty good but some of the songs don't do a lot for me. Some of them while sounding cool didn't have much of an impact. Hero is damn good though
A 2019 release and a new one for me, and a very pleasant surprise. Michael Kiwanuka has a rich, soulful voice that easily stands comparison with any of the greats and the music is a timeless mix of 70s themed soul, funk, jazz and contemporary elements. It’s rare with these albums that I listen to them more than once, but this is definitely one that will be on repeat for a while. The Dolby Atmos mix on Apple Music is another plus- this really does sound lush
I knew Kiwanuka for his earlier work (Home Again) which was much more folk/indie rock. This album is much more diverse from a musical point of view, alternating between soul, jazz, indie rock, a vintage feeling with a modern sound (probably due to the production of Danger Mouse). All in all it's a pleasant and solid album.
I got this one over a year ago and I've actually listened to it a ton since. I really like Michael Kiwankua. I listen to him almost weekly now. Here is what I wrote then: "Loved it. I really like the singer-song writer influenced, fused with R&B. The instrumentals for the intros built up and flowed nicely into each song. This is a really unique record for 2019. Super stoked on this one."
Lush.
very chill, background music, neat
Really beautiful album, I loved the quality of his voice. So gut wrenchingly beautiful.
Really nice and vibey music.
Beautiful, uplifting Neo Soul record with such heartfelt vocals and an old school fuzzy production. Really sounds like a soul record of the 70s with some modern sensibilities. Mostly has a melancholic mood, but some songs like the opener 'You ain't the Problem' , 'Rolling' and 'Hero' are funky bangers. Second half mostly has these beautiful ballads with strings and ethereal choral background vocals and life affirming lyrics. Loved it. Favorites: I've been Dazed, Piano Joint(This Kind of Love), Hero, Solid Ground.
I did not expect that. I didn’t even know anyone still made music like this. It has heavy late 60s, early 70s sort of vibe and I totally dug it. Very rarely an album comes across this list from an artist I’ve never heard of that I actually really enjoy and this is one of them.
What an enjoyable album.
Great album. Michael Kiwanuka reminds me of my ex. It's relaxing, soulful, expertly played and deserves to be listened all the way through at least once. I am picky about giving 5 stars to an album but it's an extremely high 4. Brilliant.
Wow! A complete unknown. What a treat. Love at first sight.
Fabulous album. Genre blending in its finest form, gravitating around old soul, jazz and funk disciplines with no clear boundaries to prevent freeform activity. It gets psychedelic at times, introspective at others and incredibly contemplative lyrically. I like this album alot. As far as modern additions to this 1001 list. I support it.
New artist to me. Big fan.
A beautiful listening experience. Definitely one a rainy winters days in front of the fire reading a book.
It feels like a crime that I didn't know about this before today.
I feel like he took some risks with composition and production and they really paid off.
Kiwanuka’s got a great voice. A little slow in parts but very beautiful.
Very good.
A vibe.
It was really cool to hear all of the different musical influences for this album! What a surprise. Personal enjoyment: 4/5 Relevance to this list: 4/5
Loved Michael Kiwanuka since the first album and saw him support mumford and sons in Melbourne a few year later. Soulful voice and great music. Stand out tracks: - You ain't the problem - I've been dazed - Piano Joint (This kind of love) - Living in denial - Hero - Solid Ground
Into to it sooth me thnx 🙏
Really worked for me, definitely going to go back to his earlier stuff
- Geil, hab nicht damit gerechnet, Michael Kiwanuka hier wiederzufinden - Ich hab vor einiger Zeit mal „Cold Little Heart“ von dem Dude in unsere THI Liste reingewählt. Hab mir da auch mal ein paar andere Sachen von ihm angehört und fands auch alles cool, aber hab ihn dann nicht mehr so wirklich verfolgt. - Das Album hat mir echt sehr gut gefallen - Geiler retro Soulrock Vibe, cooler und eigener Sound mit Handschrift, mega Stimme - Auch schöne Intrumentaltracks zwischendurch - Produziert von Danger Mouse, der auch ein krasser Motherfucker ist. Der Typ steht einfach für Qualität und ds hört man auch - Werd ich jetzt sicher öfter hören Rating: 4,25/5
- suuuper entspannte Platte - richtig geil, um in den Arbeitstag (und heutigen Freitag) zu starten - wird definitiv noch öfter angemacht
Dig it
5 Sterne
Really enjoyed this album. Starts groovy and then takes you on a psychedelic daydream with angelic voices, smooth guitar and drawn-out sunlight touching you gently. And what a bold album cover!
Very smooth and clean sounding in a way that can sometimes push me away but I find this just so soothing
I think this will grow on me more but it’s really good!
So happy to see this album on the list and for Michael to get the props he deserves
Oooooh, this funky. Easy listening, sneaky like.
Wow, das hat mich überrascht. Hat alle meine Erwartungen unterlaufen und Lust auf mehr gemacht. Gleich mal das Album Love & Hate reingezogen. Auch klasse.
It started out as something that I didn't particularly like but by the end of the album I liked it. Ended up listening to it three times that day
Just a great polished professional album. He is excellent
Nice sounding album - Enjoyed it
Beautifully crafted modern soul
This album is a breath of fresh air and surprising how good it its! 4.3 stars!
Liked this quite a bit! I wasn’t familiar with this artist but can see why he won a Grammy.
Before: This album has a reputation on the subreddit as one of the gems of this project that people discover through this and immediately love, so I’m pretty excited. After: very much enjoyed this. I think four stars for now and then a few months from now I’ll kick myself for not giving it five. Also, after yesterday’s album from 1956, pretty incredible to get this leap in production value.
It's nice
What an album! I remember when this was first released Adam Buxton reviewed it on his podcast and he was blown away by it but also commented that it was so tight and polished it left no room for the listener to have a part in it. I thought about this a lot at the time and when I listened to it this time around. I think that's an interesting take that without a touch of ramshackle you could feel disconnected. Regardless of that wow. It's quite amazing
A great album, I really enjoy it. He's got an excellent sound and really good variety, feels so fresh.
I dug this album a lot. Blues and 70s inspired rock is always great. Not something I'd necessarily sit and listen to as a whole, but if random songs were added to my mixes I wouldn't complain.
This was a pleasant surprise. Never heard of this before I started this challenge. Will definitely listen to Mike some more.
This was such a nice and fresh surprise. 4/5
great drums great soul
Really enjoyed this.
Super smooth and rocky soul album. Loved the elements of prog rock and psychedelia in there, and simultaneously surprised I hadn't heard more about both Michael and this album. Lowkey deserves a relisten bc I was driving while I heard the majority of it, so it would benefit from me paying more attention to it. it's something special for sure though. Fav Songs: Hero, You Ain't the Problem, Final Days
Bra album. Kvalité rakt igenom. Öppningsspåret är riktigt starkt.
I wasn’t familiar with Kiwanuka before. Now sure how I missed on this three-time Mercury Prize nominee (and one time winner) but it was a nice discovery. Quality album.
My bestie played a show with him I. Atlanta awhile back. And since then songs on the album have been in the regular rotation. He does his style well, but there could be slightly more variety
This is really beautiful. Had no idea what to expect to hear, it was not what this sounds like. Deep, soulful melodies and lyrics that feel fresh and energetic. 4 stars
Lush soundscape. Modern rock. 70s influences. Very funky and cool. Jazz and Mowtown influences. Smooth. Elaborate. Beautifully done. Varied. Stunning 60s samples.
8.5/10. Really original. I like the dynamics in this album. It's really unlike other albums in its style. :)
Another gem from the list. I was aware of Michael Kiwanuka but had never really given him much of a listen. I’m beginning to wish I had though as this was really good and I enjoyed listening to it.
I think I like this. It certainly isn't in my usual listening, but it's definitely music I can write stories to. It also feels healing to listen to.
I knew nothing about Michael Kiwanuka. I like "Living in Denial" and "Hard to Say Goodbye" and "Light". The latter's music sounds like Air. Also "Final Days" reminds me of "Roads" by Portishead. I'd like to check out more of his music.
I love this.
Great variety of genres
Great album which blends soul and folk. Didn't know anything about this artist. Definitely it's a great recommendation!
Nominated for rock album of the year. Didn't find any rock on this album but was pleasure to listen still.
Rating: 8.5/10 An eclectic mix of styles with fantastic production, great singing and instrumentation. Favorite songs: You Ain't The Problem, Rolling, I've Been Dazed, Piano Joint, Hero, Final Days, Solid Ground, Light. Worst song: Living In Denial.
Hard to believe the album came out in 2019, really good album and will be adding it to playlists
What Kiwanuka proves above all else is that soul is possible in modern music and can easily sit alongside its compatriots, seemingly without comparison to soul’s ‘golden era’. This is soul music for today, clearly taking tips from records of the 60s and 70s, but not just remaking them - redefining them. It results in a genuinely unique sound - something that could be put on and instantly recognised as Kiwanuka. An album with a flowing and cascading soundscape, one to match its inspirations.
This is an exceptional record with so many good ideas. As an extra his voice just fits perf curly in the instrumentation.
LOVED the soulful vibe of this. it felt so human and raw. Tbh if i listen to it again this could be a five cause im feeling a 4.5 on it. 1. Piano Joint 2. Hero 3. Solid Ground
Good vibes! Would probably listen again
Excellent. Beautiful instrumenration. Some of the interludes felt unnecessary
A beautiful album that I need to return to.
Such a strange inclusion. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed it. It's just strange that it's here. Truly genre defining, I couldn't quite put my finger on what it was this album was meant to be, but that is by no means negative.
Damn, this is fantastic. Excited to keep revisiting this one. 4/5
Never heard of him, but the album is good.
In coming to this album mostly fresh, it was interesting to learn that Kiwanuka is a significantly bigger star in his home base of England than here in the United States. Apparently there’s much hype and fan euphoria there for his full discography, including this release. And… I’m not there at the UK level. I really only know him from his track “Cold Little Heart” from HBO’s Big Little Lies. He’s clearly talented and I love the mixture of genres he pulls together to create this modern, moody, unique blend of R&B, soul, acoustic folk and jazz to name just a few threads he’s pulling from. And the strong songwriting based around deep, personal yet universal themes of self identity coupled with his authentic voice that’s comfortable embracing all these styles seamlessly is his strength. But for me, it slightly becomes his weakness here, where the album was spread a little too wide in musical styles, making it slightly less cohesive thematically. Still great though, so much so I’m looking forward to diving into his full discography.
This is solid.
Great. He has a great voice and I like the mood of the instruments. Favorite song: Rolling. (but most of them, really)
Great album, I kept wishing for the vocal melodies to be a little bit more creative, because the piano, instruments, voice were all spectacular. A truly nice listening experience the whole way through.
unexpected chill album, very smooth r&b, feels like something that Shick's or Clarion River Brewery would play, possibly someone at Campus Ministry would have running
Супэр альбом, полный и драмы, и грува. Лучшая песня - You Ain't The Problem.
This was so great!! Enjoyed basically every song. I’m not sure which part specifically to even say worked well because the whole thing just felt really well made and interesting.
I think I would've eventually been able to know Danger Mouse had something to do with this on vibes alone. Kiwanuka's writing allows for a lot of space that Danger Mouse seems to fill with atmosphere that reminds me of Shirley Basset's Bond themes, or the laid back likes of Röyksopp or Zero 7. It's nice mood music. Favorite tracks: "Solid Ground", "Living In Denial", "Hard To Say Goodbye"
Easy listening. I was initially going to award 3 stars but on reflection there are some solid tracks throughout.
Interesting listen. Sometimes it sounds like 70s soul and r & b and other times the music is much more modern sounding like the Strokes. Overall I like it.
A wonderful African beat introduction
This was really good. Soulful, hip, groovy — never tried too hard to be anything it wasn't. Vey self-assured.
Мягко, приятно, интересно
Heard a few tracks off his first album, so I’m looking forward to this. This definitely sounds better on headphones. Nice, calm, pretty, well made. Relaxing and easy to enjoy. Gets better with repeat listening. Nothing to complain about. 4/5
didn't go into this with high expectations but this exceeded them .Great fusion of soul and some hip-hop elements. Favorite tracks: You ain't the problem, hard to say goodbye
Very emotional, reminds me a bit of Flower Boy and Blonde. Has a 60s/70s sound that is unique, will listen again. Almost a 8.5
Kiwanuka crushes it. This album is great easy listening, contemporary with a bit of a Seal vibe. Both give it a (3.75*s)
This is not my first foray into MK's music, I have several other songs by him saved to playlists. He's a modern take on soul music with a dash of Ugandan backbeats and I really dig the whole sound. This album is full of emotion and true expression, drip some of that honey-voice over it and it's great. He's an artist in the purest sense. I listened to this full album several times through and never got bored.
Wow, that came out of nowhere. This is what I am looking for in this project: An artist I hadn’t really heard of, a genre I am usually not excited about - yet, this won me over at track one and didn’t let me go. Such a lovely sound, so many great songs, full of surprises.
yeeeeeee
I do love African beats.
Varied and bombastic, and a real departure from his previous album
Pretty good!
#315. When I saw this, my first thought was Ah, here we go again with some obscure, likely strange ass British shit no one's ever heard of. And as it seems, none of his songs popular on Spotify are even from this album. Is this yet another time when the characters making this list picked a one hit wonder, and then put a different one of their albums on this list instead? Yeah, I have no idea about the answer to that question because I've literally never heard this dude's name even once before, but what I can say is that this shit slaps. It doesn't seem to slot into any one genre neatly, but if anything that's for the better. I wish all the music on this list I've never heard of was as good as this, but the list creators would rather ear-rape me with Scritti Politti and the like instead. 4/5: fantastic
Virkelig lækkert! Fantastisk stemme, sommermusik
If this thing was like 10 minutes shorter, I'd give it a 5. It's lush, it's beautiful, but it wanders off the trail a little too far too often.
I was listening to this on a walk and kept trying to figure out why this reminded me so much of Inflo's work with Little Simz and SAULT only to get home and Google it and find out Inflo produced this too. Of course! Liked the psychedelic, groovier first half of this more, but it's still a delight to hear Inflo's grandiose arrangements paired with Michael Kiwanuka's voice.
An throwback to old soul music that's drenched in reverb and modern production touches from Danger Mouse. Mournful lyrics delivered like a more folky solomon burke.
Totally blindsided by this one. Still struggling to pigeon hole a genre, so let’s keep it simple. It’s super chilled, and has a great vibe, largely contemporary but some lovely 70s leanings. Ah, I just really like it. Looking forward to reading more and hopefully more back catalogue.
Really enjoyed most of the album, the only knock I have is the background conversations that were not clear enough to understand and just clear enough to get in the way of the experience. Just didn’t understand what he was trying to do. Otherwise a a good listen
What an absolute triumph of an album. Indebted to the past but far from a mere update. Sonically rich. Quite a journey. Ravers, ballads and everything in between all presented in a unique pallette. Soul, psychedelia with enough of a modern touch to make it would timeless. An album I will return to.
Interesting. Different. 2 thumbs up.
ive been wanting to listen to this for a while. 9.2/10 soulful funky jazzy delicious let me kiss that sweet face michael
Incredibly enjoyable. Really great start to an album... Incredible that there is like no information on it, but it's on this list.
Had heard lots of the songs before, but whole album listened well 7/10
really loved this
Really good album.
Definitely the best album of that year....
Really loved the vibe of this.
Love the vibe of this album
tämä on hyvää cacaa. jahas mainokset alkoi 2 sekuntia ennen laulun päättymistä eli en ehtinyt klikata seuraavaa laulua koska tuli mainokset siihen. heh. indie rock album heh taitaa mennä hyvällä herralla vähän sekaisin genret, ei ole valkonen brittikvartetti tämä, älä käytä tuommoista loukkaavaa kielenkäyttöä enään koskaan heheh. hyvä tietää että NE osaavat vielä tehdä musiikkiakin... modernismi kuuluu mutta vanhojen aikojen wibat kaikuvat... But something stirs and something tries, And starts to climb toward the light... hero
Miam
Thoughts before listening: I really enjoy Michael Kiwanuka. I saw him at Bonnaroo a few years ago and got really into his album at that time. This one I'm less familiar with although I do believe I listened a couple times. A modern spin on blues based rock music with a singer who has more soul than most rock singers. Review: This is great. Very cool mix of R&B, blues, and rock. Michael Kiwanuka has a great voice, and he incorporates elements of many different styles that I enjoy. Its refreshing to get a newer album on here that I enjoy and thats a new discovery for me. My favorite songs are "I've Been Dazed", "Piano Joint", "Hero", and "Light". 4-stars
can’t believe i’ve never heard this. phenomenal body of work
Heartfelt and beautiful soul album
Another album and artist I haven't heard of. I really liked this, there were some great songs
When Glastonbury announced the lineup for 2024's instalment of the festival, it was initially met with mixed reactions on social media. I swear, I must've seen about 10 people independently comment "that don't impress me much" in response to it, a painfully obvious reference to Shania Twain's status as a headliner. That being said, despite this, the lineup, I thought, was fairly strong. I'd pointed out about thirty or so artists that I'd be interested in seeing the replays of - LCD Soundsystem, Squid, Little Simz, PJ Harvey, Fontaines D.C., Lankum... the list goes on. But one name stuck out as one that I recognised from somewhere - Michael Kiwanuka. It took a quick google search before I found he' fairly well-regarded commercially and critically, and a little longer before I realised he was featured on Danger Mouse & Black Thought's 2022 track "Aquamarine" - one of my favourite songs from that year. Speaking of which, Danger Mouse's production is almost certainly the first thing I noticed upon hearing the first song, "You Ain't the Problem". The drums in particular sound excellent, and as I went further into the album, I found that there was a real depth and variety to the instrumentation here - all of which complement's Kiwanuka's vocals wonderfully. It's clearly quite the ambitious project, and it's extremely cohesive. My only issue is that there weren't really any individual songs that stood out to me as highlights; this is really a non-issue, though, when the quality of the music on here is as consistently as high as it is. Overall, well-produced, well-performed, and an absolute joy to listen to. Is it my favourite album from 2019? Nowhere near. But as far as I'm aware, the Weyes Blood, Tyler the Creator and Black MIDI albums from that year aren't on this list, so for all intents and purposes, it may as well be. 8/10