Michael Kiwanuka - Kiwanuka

Kiwanuka is the third studio album by British blues and soul musician Michael Kiwanuka, released in November 2019 via Polydor Records.

Kiwanuka was produced by Danger Mouse and Inflo, who worked with Kiwanuka on his previous studio album Love & Hate (2016).

“The last album came from an introspective place and felt like therapy, I guess..” Kiwanuka said in a statement. “This one is more about feeling comfortable in who I am and asking what I want to say. Like, how could I be bold and challenge myself and the listener? It is about self-acceptance in a more triumphant rather than melancholy way. It’s an album that explores what it means to be a human being today”.

This is a brilliant album and one of “The Captain’s” favourites from 2019, a moving piece that moves seamlessly from start to end blending flavours of blues rock, psych rock, folk rock and catchy melodies to more complex movements. One of my favourite tracks is “Piano Joint (This Kind of Love)”, which brings back the feeling of Bill Withers singing in a smoke-filled piano bar, with swampy strings floating over the top of a piano driven track, with haunting background vocals. Absolutely stunning.

The album reached #2 on the UK and #39 on the Australian albums charts.

This double album 2LP record set is on 180 gram black vinyl housed in a gatefold sleeve with printed inner sleeves and digital download code, pressed in Europe via Polydor Records.