My Favourite Albums of 2016: #5 Michael Kiwanuka - Love & Hate

Timeless. It’s the only word to describe Michael Kiwanuka’s second album Love & Hate. I'm, pretty sure I'll still be listening to this one in 10 years time.

Whereas his debut Home Again trod faithfully in the footsteps of the likes of Bill Withers and Otis Reading and sometimes found itself a little too much in homage to those past masters, Love & Hate sees Kiwanuka truly finding his own voice. The essence of the past is still there, but this time it’s as much informed by the present. Kiwanuka’s vocals soothe, even although his lyrics are often self doubting, angsty and questioning. The music is orchestrated and played with total assurance, creating a warm soulful spell. I doubt you’ll find many songs better than the near 10 minute long opener Cold Little Heart this year.

The BBC Sound of list is often criticised for being about acts that are over hyped and don’t match up to expectation in the longer term. Kiwanuka topped the 2012 Sound of list. This record is one of two in my end of year top 5 that shows that that criticism isn’t always justified.

Michael Kiwanuka - One More Night (Video)

Ones To Watch 2012 - #9 Michael Kiwanuka

Rather like Willy Moon, who was yesterday’s Ones to Watch 2012 choice, Michael Kiwanuka is producing music that has a deeply nostalgic tone. Unlike Moon however there is no attempt to give his music a contemporary edge. Instead Kiwanuka’s music subscribes to the argument that great art should never be discounted simply because it doesn’t innovate. Innovation can often be too closely linked to fashion, falling out of favour as tides turn and new waves sweep in. Listen back to something in your record collection that you thought was ground-breaking a few years back and now it may actually seem very dated. Having the tools and talent to create something moving and beautiful, irrespective of originality, is more likely to stick closely to the heart longer than the latest hipster craze or fad.

This is where Michael Kiwanuka wins hands down. You can choose to describe his soulful, acoustic music as timeless, classic or alternatively you can use words such as retro and vintage, but ultimately whatever way you frame it Kiwanuka makes music that is exquisitely warm and wonderful.

Kiwanuka is 23 years old and grew up in North London. He grew up on a musical diet of Blur, Nirvana, Hendrix, Dylan and Otis Redding. It is Redding that laid the roots for Kiwanuka’s own brand of music that is every inch close immaculate.

Michael Kiwanuka will be releasing his new single Home Again on January 1^st and his debut album follows in March.

Home Again by MichaelKiwanuka

Michael Kiwanuka - Home Again

The debates as to whether great art should be judged by innovation or the craft and skill with which it is created will probably roll on forever, but we prefer to judge it from an emotional rather than an intellectual perspective. Our question is always does the art move us in a positive way, does it make us feel something? Then if it does, for whatever reason, then on a personal level it’s great art and nobody can argue against that because there’s a connection. It’s why ultimately all arguments about what is good / bad, great/terrible, amazing/awful music are redundant and irrelevant – it’s about how you feel, not what anyone else thinks.

If Michael Kiwanuka was judged in terms of innovation, then he would probably be packed off to the amenity tip right now. Everything about him seems incredibly old-fashioned, right down to the faded sepia brown tones of the cover art and 70's typeface and framing for his record sleeve. Yet his rich, warm tones and subtle strong spine tingling songs are so simply affecting that to deny a connection with them is deny yourself an opportunity to enrich your life.

With an album due next March, his new EP Home Again will be released on the 1^st January 2011. What better way to smooth of your inevitable Hogmanay hangover than by letting his music strip away the poisons of the night before like a smooth mug of velvety coffee?

The title track streams below.

Michael Kiwanuka - Home Again

Michael Kiwanuka - New Waves

There’s something very special about Communion Records. Rather like Bella Union they’re a label that just seems to ooze quality and in Michael Kiwanuka they’ve found another gem. His debut EP Tell Me A Tale, which is released on the June 13 is head and shoulders above the crowd.

Like a lazy autumn Sunday afternoon Kiwanuka’s music is full of laid back, effortless beauty and deserves to be cherished. Featuring pattering drums, flutes, guitars, soft brass and a wonderfully warm voice the cuts on his EP are organically faultless - a mix of 60’s jazz, soul and pop. This is a man blessed with real talent, something which we confirmed a couple of weeks ago when we caught a short acoustic set of his at The Great Escape in Brighton – and he could easily find a loving audience on the likes of BBC Radio 2 and BBC 6 Music.

If we were to compare Kiwanuka to Bill Withers and Otis Redding it may seem like high praise indeed, but it’s fully deserved for the songs, the voice and the musicianship here are all top notch. The 23 year old Londoner recorded the tunes on his EP with Paul Butler from The Bees in Paul’s homeland of The Isle Of Wight. Since then travels further than the three miles across the piece of water known as the Solent have entailed, as Kiwanuka was asked to support the globe conquering, chart busting and frankly amazing Adele on a number of shows, including some in mainland Europe.

Michael Kiwanuka - Tell Me A Tale