[New Release] MICHAEL KIWANUKA
Avoiding the sophomore slump, the Londoner’s second album benefits from the talents of producers Danger Mouse and Inflo, whose soundscapes give the sorrowful topics plenty of room. Paul Burton, who produced Kiwanuka’s 2012 debut, “Home Again,” also helms three tracks.
There’s a cinematic quality to opening track “Cold Little Heart,” a 10-minute technicolor burst of strings, slide guitar and overdriven choral accompaniment that’s as adventurous as it is engaging. Quentin Tarantino would turn it into a three-hour film with a Hollywood ending.
Most of the album’s 10 songs are rooted in Kiwanuka’s acoustic guitar and warm, expressive voice. It’s a solid foundation for the souped-up arrangements and can even bear with grace the heaviness in the shame, deception, loss and hurt of the lyrics. “Love & Hate” confirms Kiwanuka, a son of Ugandan immigrants, as a major talent whose soul-scouring search is well worth following. AP
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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