Michael Kiwanuka – Love & Hate

There is a very long string and backing vocal intro on “Cold Little Heart”, the opening track of Michael Kiwanuka‘s long-awaited second album, produced by Danger Mouse, Inflo, and Paul Butler. After the haunting overture, Michael’s signature warm voice cushions a midtempo soul groove which ends up in an ambitious 10-minute little hymn.

Michael Kiwanuka "Love & Hate"Michael’s serious socio-political lyrics continue with “Black Man In A White World”, another well-thought out production with repetitive chants and grooves. The tempo is down for the folk-rocky “Falling”, again with a slight string bed and Michael’s raspy, lachrymose, but not exaggerated voicings. I think he sounds best on soulful paeans like “Place I Belong” which has some ultra cool backing vocals reminding me of some 60s/early 70s psychedelic soul cuts. A truly mesmerizing piece.

The title track comes across as yet another mix of psychedelic soul and prog-rock with a full string section and more of those hypnotizing backing vocals – a real drama this! We also get a sweet little pop ditty with “One More Night” which sounds like a veritable radio hit and a gloomy “I’ll Never Love”. A special characteristic of changing tempo and mood of a song can be heard towards the end of “Father’s Child”, another beautiful, extroverted song which makes way for the simplistic soul of “The Final Frame”, produced with upfront vocals and a shining hook. A very unique and satisfying album.

Michael goes out on an extensive tour through Europe to promote the new album which is also available as a double-vinyl:

10/06 Glasgow – The Art School

10/07 Edinburgh – The Liquid Room

10/08 Newcastle – Wylam Brewery At Palace Of Arts

10/10 Sheffield – The Leadmill

10/11 London – Shepherds Bush Empire

10/13 Cork – Cyprus Avenue

10/14 Belfast – Limelight

10/15 Dublin – The Academy

10/17 Cardiff – The Tramshed

10/18 Exeter – Phoenix

10/19 Oxford – Academy

10/21 Birmingham – The Library At The Institute

10/22 Manchester – Ritz

11/02 Paris – La Cigale

11/03 Antwerp – Trix Hall

11/05 Copenhagen – Dr Koncerthuset

11/06 Oslo – Folketeateret

11/07 Stockholm – Vasateatern

11/09 Berlin – Postbahnhof

11/10 Munich – Technikum

11/11 Zurich – Kaufleuten

11/13 Milan – Fabrique Milano

11/14 Montpellier – Le Rockstore

11/16 Barcelona – Bikini Festival Del Millenni

11/17 Madrid – Teatro Barceló

11/18 Bordeaux – Rock School Barbey

11/20 Lyon – L’Epicerie Moderne

11/21 Strasbourg – La Laiterie

11/22 Cologne – Kantine

11/25 Amsterdam – Paradiso

11/26 Rotterdam – Songbird Festival

 

 

 

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