Kiwanuka
by Michael Kiwanuka
User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 95 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 84 out of 95
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 95
  3. Negative: 3 out of 95
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  1. lightworker
    Dec 4, 2019
    3
    Showcasing vocal deficiencies, this sweet retro-soul suite sounds like a demo.

    I adored his sophomore album "Love & Hate", but "Kiwanuka" is rather boring. Production and instrumentational arrangements are nice, but over-compressed, and the songs are idling, lamenting and not very strong. There's no real musical hook – and above all no emotion. Mr. Kiwanukas singing style was never very    Showcasing vocal deficiencies, this sweet retro-soul suite sounds like a demo.

    I adored his sophomore album "Love & Hate", but "Kiwanuka" is rather boring. Production and instrumentational arrangements are nice, but over-compressed, and the songs are idling, lamenting and not very strong. There's no real musical hook – and above all no emotion. Mr. Kiwanukas singing style was never very forceful, but here it is especially frustrating, expressionless and bland. I'm sorry, but to me "Kiwanuka" sounds like a bad rip-off of "Love & Hate" without any inspiration.    … Expand
  2. Xxxzra
    Jan 22, 2020
    1
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. It is ok . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . .. . . . . .. . .. . . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. .… Expand

Awards & Rankings

8
#8 Best Album of 2019
64
#64 Most Discussed Album of 2019

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
89

Universal acclaim - based on 21 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 21
  3. Negative: 0 out of 21
  1. The Quietus
    Nov 15, 2019
    90
    It’s very easy for a reviewer to play armchair warrior and forward claims for all sorts of nonsense for music they like. But this is a glorious, heart-stopping, essential album. You’d have to have a heart of stone not to be moved by it.
    Read full review
  2. PopMatters
    Nov 14, 2019
    80
    Kiwanuka could very well be one of the best albums of 2019. But Kiwanuka is also a beautiful, deep place that feels like it will be worth visiting, not just in the last month of this year, but throughout a listener's lifetime.
    Read full review
  3. Paste Magazine
    Nov 12, 2019
    85
    An album that could have been a grueling downer from start to finish. Instead, it’s a testament to perseverance, determination and a vivid creative imagination from an artist who seems to have finally found himself, and that’s profound enough.
    Read full review
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