KIWANUKA

Well, well, well, this was a pleasant surprise. I had been aware of Michael Kiwanuka but I was expecting this to be a soppy great wet lettuce of an album. I had assumed he peddled watered-down mainstream "soul" which would be none of my business. How wrong I was. Google tells me it is Danger Mouse produced which explains the epic panoramic production. There's more than a bit of Bill Withers buried in the album's DNA but it is still very much its own thing. It's modern soul on a grand scale and I will shortly be purchasing a copy, this one is a keeper. Well done 1,001 Albums Generator, a big thumbs up for you.

Absolutely loved. Soulful, reminded me a bit of Leon Bridges for the vibe

Don’t hesitate Time heals the pain You ain’t the problem

Masterpiece

gorgeoussss timeless lovely

Thought that this was interesting a nd a great listen all the way through. Will definitely be going back.

So dope.

This album is a gem! Hero and You Ain't the problem are so damn good. could listen to this one all day.

Beautiful album. Absolutely beautiful.

Beautiful album

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Kiwanuka is a modern classic with a modern version of soul that is a natural successor of the music created by sous legends like Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye. The arrangements are fabulous and the production is great.

Gorgeous orchestration with space for powerful vocals and interesting production accents

Accomplished brilliance.

Мед и шоколадное молоко

Yesterday, I was in 2018, and today, the generator sent me to 2019. This album is behind its time. In no way does this album sound as if it was released the same year as *that* novel coronavirus. Smooth soul music with a hint of psychedelic techno, and it turns out to be a pleasant experience. I was pleasantly surprised! Favorite Track: "Piano Joint(This Kind Of Love)".

Lots of cool shit I like, all blended together. Another album I would not have found were it not for doing this exercise. Wish it had just a little more oomph towards the end, but I’m off to check out his other stuff

Me and Michael have had a bit of a fraught relationship over the years but I think we're finally getting into the honeymoon period. This album was good

Cool

Nice Brazilian tropicalia feel to it. Interesting musically throughout and enjoyable. 4/5

remarkable. i’ve only heard a few of his songs on the radio until now (and one of his earlier albums). this is the first of the 1001 albums that i’ve immediately listened to again after a first listen

Incredibly groovy and cool, love all the instrumentals, it really feels like something out of the 60s or 70s. Some very different vibes and genres covered throughout too. Light was such an amazing ending to this brilliant album, will definately be listening to this one again, a few songs already made the playlist. 8.5/10 4 stars

enjoyed very much but second part dropped off

Bah franchement j’ai adoré et j’en ressors plusieurs chansons 8/10

unexpected bangers on this album

Erg mooie nummers!

soo beautiful omg

You Ain't the Problem - 5/5 Rolling - 4/5 I've Been Dazed - 4/5 Piano Joint (This Kind of Love) (Intro) - no rating Piano Joint (This Kind of Love) - 4/5 Another Human Being (Interlude) - no rating Living in Denial - 4/5 Hero (Intro) - no rating Hero - 5/5 Hard to Say Goodbye - 4/5 Final Days - 3/5 Interlude (Loving the People) - no rating Solid Ground - 4/5 Light - 4/5 Average score: 4.1/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ i wasn't sure about this one based on first impressions, as the albums on this list past the 90s era have been largely hit-or-miss. however, much to my surprise, i was blown away from start to finish! THIS is the kind of music i expected (and still expect) to be introduced to while completing the 1001 album list

3.93

I feel like I’ve had the same attitude towards all of the semi-contemporary albums I’ve enjoyed on here: there’s so much I really loved about this, but I wish it sounded a little bit less on-the-computer. This one is at least meant to sound more organic, but you can still hear it. Too tight, too wound up. Getting a really sick live band and doing this in a hall or a theatre would suit the music so much better.

Verry verry good album :< Something I didn't know I could be into. Fresh sounding. Relatable.

This album would have been popular if released at any point in time in the last 60 years. What an exceptional performance! 4 stars because I think his second album Love & Hate is even better crafted.

Black excellence what can I say? Awesome way of expressing how music transcends even decades

This is a worthy soulful, retro, low-fi effort. The mood is chill and I find it uplifting. I think a wide range of people would enjoy this music. I particularly enjoyed the melodic approach and the relaxed grooves. There was a nice balance of simplicity and layering.

Welcome back to the project indeed! Had this paused since earlier in the year; this was a fantastic album to return to. A suprising 4 stars!

Nice mix of different styles. Not all my cup of tea but certainly not bad. 4/5 stars.

Excellent album. First time I have listened to this artist.

Really enjoyed this album. Nice blend of genres, great singing and nice vibe.

What a great discovery ! This beauty totally took me by surprise. When you're three songs into an album and you still can't attach any clearly defined label to the music, you know the artist is doing something right. “Kiwanuka” is a gorgeous mix of many styles and genres, and yet it never feels artificial or affected ; everything just naturally and organically comes together, driven by a unique artistic vision and a strong personality. The fact that listeners who obviously belong to at least three different generations seem so unanimously enthusiastic about this album in the reviews is further proof that Michael Kiwanuka is a formidably talented artist, and shows once again that great music really transcends time and space. I don't love every single song, a couple of them are a bit on the pop side for me, but the more psychedelic soul and rock bits are absolutely amazing. Will absolutely listen again (and I might even edit my review later). 8/10

Super good stuff

6.5ish/10 but felt bad giving it just a 3 = much preferred this to the last couple, think the backing and harmonies worked really well and the whole album worked well together, can hear slight 60/70s influence which i think worked really well and i liked the messages in the songs too, not sure if i would seek out to listen again but wouldn't be mad if i did

Thoroughly enjoyed listening to this. 4.5

4 - Very good, but I still like Love & Hate a bit more.

8/10 - Great album. Kiwanuka's smooth, silky voice pairs so well with his instrumentals. Also blends variations to his song whilst retaining his unique style that makes the album an easy listening experience without lacking depth.

Kiwanuka is clearly inspired by all those excellent soul records from the seventies that I'm sure we've all become accustomed to while completing this project. I hear some Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye in his sound. The psychedelic guitar playing gives me Funkadelic vibes. The album blasts off with "You Ain't The Problem" - an ass-shaker of an opener that has a strong afrobeat influence all over it. This record isn't just rehashing old artists, Kiwanuka moulds them all into a sound that sounds very modern and fresh. I can see why many other users have been floored when they pick up this record. My only criticism of this album is that the album peters on a little longer than it should have. "Final Days" sounds like a perfect closer to an album and I don't think much is added by the next three songs that follow it. Outside of that, this was a delightful discovery.

Really relaxing and good music to write too. Been writing a training course to deliver in a few weeks and this helped with the vibe.

Sehr schönes Album. Viele emotionale Parts, klasse Instrumentationen. Unerwartet gut!

Soulful, acid-jazz at times. Emotional and well-crafted.

It was a very smooth listen. I only played it once tho. I've been having a tough day, and I wasn't in the headspace for repetition.

Pretty good singer-songwriter stuff. Kiwanuka has a good voice, and the lush instrumentation usually sounds ok (only occasionally cloying).

VERY reminiscent of mid-2010s Radiohead. Some of the songs sound straights off A Moon Shaped Pool. Pretty nice

Great album. Predictable in all the right places and unexpected in others. Danger Mouse's production really shines through.

Album with a lot of heart and soul. You Ain't the Problem is a perfect pop song.

8/10 Album. Super strong start. First half is phenomenal. Wish the lyrics were a bit more deep but honestly the style of basic emotional lyrics came through to me and did move me several times. Drove me to tear in the car to Piano Joint. Honestly Might be closer to 8.5/10 I mean I damn near added every song.

This is the Big Little Lies guy h yeah Faves: Rolling (melody reminds me of Born to Be Wild) Final Days

This is so unexpected! I dig this.

Great album!

Nice orchestral arrangments, I like it. The vibe is fiiiiire. I don't know why but this album got me into creative mood and now I wanna program!

Good music not my style

great surprise! liked the instrumentation

This is just bloody lovely stuff. Would never have myself down as a fan of soul, or neo-soul or whatever pigeon hole this might find itself in, but I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Micheal Kiwanuka - KIWANUKA (2019) KIWANUKA is a great, deeply immersive album that stands as a decent listen, even if it does not quite reach a perfect score. The record stands out for its remarkably progressive soulful sound, capturing a dense, cinematic atmosphere that highly recalls the sweeping arrangements of Isaac Hayes' Hot Buttered Soul. Michael Kiwanuka delivers an incredibly strong performance here; the pure emotional weight of his vocals, the power of the lyricism, and the underlying socio-political messages hit hard. Balanced by a brilliant, gritty funkiness and rich textures, the project comfortably holds its ground as an excellent body of work. Based on the track selections, the definitive highlights of the LP include "You Ain't The Problem," "Rolling," "I've Been Dazed," "Piano Joint (This Kind Of Love) - Intro," "Hard To Say Goodbye," and the staggering emotional peak of "Solid Ground." 4/5

A surprise. Not my usual genre but really enjoyable

Preference - 3 Musicianship - 1 Legacy - .5 Total - 4.5

MMMMMMMMMM this is just got so much SOUL to it. this def makes me want so many more quality modern albums on the list, the production is just so good compared to 90% of this list.

After most of the rubbish picks that Dimery has made since 2004, I'm really glad that this album was chosen. It's got this modern production sound that pairs really well with the soul elements that he uses. His voice is well placed with the sound. I'm very surprised with how great this album is, and it has given me confidence to listen to more modern albums, as there are some actual gems in the modern era.

It's cool, very cool. Maybe too cool and too complete i dunno

Vibes are there

All I can say is, I loved this album. I'd never heard of this artist before, so I really didn't know what to expect. But as soon as I heard the first track, I knew that this was going to be a great album. The vocals are beautiful, along with the backing vocals, and they suit the style so beautifully. I liked a lot of the gospel sounds in certain tracks, creating an additional layer of fresh air and power. Favourite lyric: 'The lord said to me, time is a healer.' (I've Been Dazed') Favourites: I've Been Dazed You Ain't The Problem Hero

I really enjoyed this. A great voice with interesting and varied music. Of any contemporary musicians that might get radio play, this is as good as it gets. Beat stuff if front loaded on the album, so it does stall out near the end. But still, very very good.

A bopppppppppppppppppppppppp. Perhaps a bit slow at times but what can you do

Easy listening. I enjoyed the music and the message. I really liked I’ve been dazed. It really spoke to me. I also liked your not the problem and Another Himan Being. I enjoyed listening to something different from my usual music taste

Second time around for this one. I really like it. Surprised it’s on the list, but like it, so yeah! Of all the albums from 2019…whatever… I like it. Husband finds this album very middling to fair. He’s a much harder sell than me. It does make me wonder, though. Does this album really deserve a 4. The thing is, I do actually love it. I go back and it’s saved in my likes. I, personally, listen to it. My husband asks me: “Why? It’s boring.” But I love Kiwanuka’s voice. I think the production is top notch. Maybe this is just a me album. And I am the one rating it. 4 Boolean:true, maybe, but yeah 2016 - 19 had admittedly A LOT of music that probably deserves to be on the list over this.

Breath of Nigerian fresh air

It's fine, smooth, fresh and interesting. No other option than to give it a 4/5 (7/10 imo)

I really enjoyed this. Such great grooves and diggable vibes. It gets a tiny bit exhaustive towards the end, but it's WAY better than some of the garbage this list gives us.

When new music is either a swinging miss or a total home run in the ballpark of indie rock, KIWANUKA is a decent soundtrack to an afternoon driving around the nicer side of your downtown area with no particular destination.

1. Huere calming 2. Safe guet zum lerne 3. Zu wenig action für kich aber susch huere geil 4. Übergang zwüsched de lieder so clean das mers fascht nöd merkt 5. Album als Ganzes isch es Kunstwerk und nöd numme die einzelne songs 6. Mer merkt das er sich actually öppis denkt hett bi de schaffig vom album

Faktisk jævlig nice. God mix av 70s soul/funk med 10s sensibilitet.

Liker retroviben. Trommene og gitaren låter helt rått

Favorite Track: Hard to Say Goodbye

fav song - hard to say goodbye least fav song - living in denial i’m not really into folk music, but it was a nice album. sounds really refreshing and interesting

Had this one in my streaming library already, though I don’t think I had listened to it yet. You can hear the soul in this - Otis, Marvin, and many others. Wraps around you and makes you feel.

Solid album.

Loving the sound. Soul soup. Album suprised me and came out of nowhere. Hero and the intro stand out. Production crazy good too. 4 stars

If I went into this completely blind and you asked me to guess what year it came out, I certainly would never guess 2019. In many ways this album transcends time and genre. The whole thing felt like a breath of fresh air. Like many others, I had never heard of Michael Kiwanuka before this challenge, but now I'm interested in diving deeper into his discography. Favorite Track - Hero Least Favorite Track - Solid Ground ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Really smooth album, I really liked his sound and how each song seemed to intermingle with each other. Definitely an underrated artist, hadn't heard of him before this, will be coming back to this album in the future.

Easy listening but not in the traditional sense. Sometimes its good to have something thats not hugely challenging, that said theres definitely a unique style to this album that i've not really heard before, and i kind of dig it.

he's an artist i appreciate the voice and the sound of. already liked a few songs on the album but gotta say the whole thing has a nice vibe to it

Had no clue about this one, but was pleasantly surprised. Really enjoyable, and chilled soul stuff. Timeless almost, didn't seem like such a modern album. Definitely something to have on in the background while chilling. Glad to have heard this.

Thought it was gonna be just another hip hop album but it ended up being pretty good

Wow, first album from this century (21st). Great vibes so far. Liked the 70s touch. Recommended.

This album is a good bow on the indie, jazz-rock fusion albums of the 2010s. Really loved the textures of this one, and especially dug how the lyrics inform the music and vice versa. At times it almost feels ambient. Highlights: You Aint The Problem, Hard To Say Good bye

Неплохо, неплохо

Très très agréablement surpris On sent les influences, c’est ancré historiquement! Super :) 4.5-/5

This isn't my favorite Michael Kiwanuka album, but it's lush, beautifully produced, and of course the vocals are velvety smooth. I love how it sounds like something straight out of the 70s at times, but somehow still fresh. I'm pleasantly surprised by how highly rated it is.

Swaggy as FUCK. Never heard of this before but it surprised me

A recent addition to the list. Really dig the soul on this. Reminds me of some of the Colemine stuff from Finnegan and Monophonics.

I like the instrumentation This is more upbeat, which is appreciated after the last few. Is this a protest album? It feels old school, but is actually super recent. I was surprised. Started strong, then got a little repetitive. Final Days on the Planet is a strong track. Beautiful voice. Some standouts, but some fall into repetitive

After a few listens it really starts to hit different, not sure I class it as rock but it has elements of it No weak spots, just a good ol' album. Top tracks: you aint the problem, piano joint, final days, solid ground

Pretty good, not my taste

Intriguing sound and great voice.

Grooving, vibing.

Son canciones que fácilmente podrían servir para sonar de fondo en restaurante caro. La composición es buena, a la letra no le estoy prestando mucha atención. Lo volvería a escuchar? No. Añadí alguna canción a mis favoritas? Tampoco Le doy un 6/10 pero porque me gusta que en un álbum haya sonidos diferentes y a mi parecer esto sigue el mismo ''ritmo'' todo el rato, algo así como escuchar una canción de 1 hr sin parar (No shade). final note: es música de millenial JEJEJ another final note: mi opinión viene 100% predispuesta porque estoy escuchando algo que no quiero escuchar :D

Yllättävän solid albumi. Moni biisi meni omalle soittolistalle. Laulaja on todella taitava. Ei mitään lisättävää 7/10

8.5/10

I'd hearda few tracks before but never the full album, and it's great. The most recent thing I've heard on the list so far. Genuinely doesn't sound like anything other than itself.

Really enjoyed this album. Never heard of Michael but did recognise one of the songs.

Easy listening sparkly soul. Nothing really stood out but I enjoyed it.

Some songs hit some songs were ight. Solid overall.

Really like this! Hadn't heard of the artist before but the album strikes me as soul with touches of Stevie Wonder, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Marley, and Sly Stone. Will definitely come back to this one in the future.

Day 2 Before: I've never heard about this artist before. Psychedelic soul does sound interesting. I'm gonna be so honest, I did not expect that. The instrumental really stands out to me. This album has such an interesting and full sound. I'm usually a little hesitant with newer albums, cuz they sometimes have a very spare and boring instrumental, but here both hand-drums and guitar gets to shine. The overall sound of every track changes throughout and gives it this beautiful harmonic feel, where it's never the same thing. There is always something happening. The vibe of the album feels very dreamy. At times it can be rough and direct, but also majestic and light. The use of strings, electronics, vocal harmony and hand-drums makes for such a great, experimental sound. No track feels the same, or repetitive. This album takes many different sounds and blends them into this sonically stunning album. Favorite(s): You Ain't The Problem, Hero, Hard To Say Goodbye

Very nice and chill! Def something id smoke to lolol

wow.

Álbum divertido, con onda. Música que acompaña, ligera, crea atmósfera. Sello propio de identidad.

I've never heard of this artist nor this album until it came up on my list. It is really good. A good blend of rock, jazz, and other genres. I'm only giving it four at this point because I haven't been able to really listen more in depth. I am willing to bet that after repeated listenings this will wind up being a five.

Starting off the next hundred albums with an artist I never would of listened to if not for this experience. Kiwanuka puts bits of Stevie Wonder and Thundercat in these songs while also addsing his own spin on those styles. It sounds old and new at the same time. A truly unique listening experience. I have no idea if I will return to it after today, but I will remember it more than some other albums in this collection. 4/5

It's kind of cool music. The blend of acoustic soul wibes with distorted electric guitar. Can become little dull at times.

Had no idea what to expect with this, but really enjoyed it. Final Days was definitely the highlight for me

This was incredible!! I didn't know what to expect but it was a great journey to go on. Great, buttery voice, and fun adventurous rhythms blend together to create a theatrical experience. 8/10

Tästä tykkäsin oikeesti ja oon kuunnellu joitain muitaki Kiwanukan biisei

rock

Loved this. Wasn’t sure what to expect but this was a surprise. He has a fabulous expressive voice. The whole thing is crafted immaculately. So many different things to listen to and interesting production choices that really work. Will be coming back to this one and exploring more of his work. A lovely find from the generator

New-to-me artist and I didn't know what to expect. I really liked this one. It was somehow classic 70s soul while being new and fresh. I could get into this.

After a recent poor run on this list I was not hopeful at all. I was wrong. This is instantly really enjoyable. I think it needs a few more listens to really identify the standout tracks but I did particularly enjoy I've Been Dazed and Piano Joint.

Very chill, introspective album.

Good record with some exciting, energizing moments. Really creative arrangements, sometimes really fun.

Not sure how this fits into rock category but an enjoyable listen none the less. A very distinctive voice. Some different musical styles but still an album to listen to start to finish and not just a jumble of songs. "You aint the problem" great track to start album. Also enjoyed "My hero" and "Final days"

Another great voice, lovely album, very much enjoyed the cool tracks

Sneaky gas

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

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 mastefully

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