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’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
