Music Review: Michael Kiwanuka, Love and Hate

Back in 2012 I gave Michael Kiwanuka's debut album Home Again a five star review and made bold predictions about his future success. Now I am embarrassed because Love and Hate is even better but I don't do six stars.

The opening 10 minute track Cold Little Heart finds Kiwanuka channelling Floyd's David Gilmour with a stunning guitar workout. It's a full five minutes before the vocals roll in and it's a simply awesome intro.

With Danger Mouse on production you quite rightly expect the sound to be first class, and it is.

The difference between album one and album two is Michael Kiwanuka's growth as both a songwriter and as a vocalist. Plus the settings vary markedly from track to track.

There are snappy call and response vocals between him and the back-up singers, and the use of strings makes Love and Hate a winner in every way.

Michael Kiwanuka's soulful voice maintains that plaintive quality with all songs showing off yet another aspect of his bag of tricks.

The lyrics are a big step up too, and couldn't be more timely, given what's happening on the other side of the Atlantic, on Black Man in a White's World. There are shuffle beats, full-on edgy rock fused tracks, ballads. Basically it's the full package.

You won't find a dud song on Love and Hate, but check out the title track, Cold Little Heart, Black Man in a White's World and the album's last offering, The Final Frame.

If ever there was a case for extending my five star rating system this is it.

Rating: 5/5 stars.