Kiwanuka shakes off the pressure of Mercury success to create a glorious sonic soundscape.
2019 saw Michael Kiwanuka hit monumental heights: His semi-eponymous third record, Kiwanuka, was a magnum opus that clinched him a Mercury Prize as well as countless critical praise. For some, the pressure would weigh heavy, but Kiwanuka shines with his follow-up: Small Changes is an expertly produced blend of his unique sound and influences.
Gorgeous string parts, brushed drums, and soft soul are all integral elements of this record: ‘Small Changes’, ‘One and Only’, and ‘Rebel Soul’ are all vintage Kiwanuka, with the latter merging melancholic parts with his sensitive vocals to create a simply beautiful sonic environment. Each listen reveals more to the listener: Small Changes is an album to immerse yourself in time and time again thanks to the superb yet understated layering of instrumentals.
Small Changes is one of those albums that gives you no choice but to immerse yourself in it fully. With each track, you feel the record washing over you, like waves on a beach, with every number worming its way inside. There is a brilliantly understated guitar solo on ‘Lowdown Part 1’ before its counterpart, ‘Lowdown Part 2’ seeing cinematic strings melt into a charmingly lo-fi guitar solo that lasts for most of the number. Kiwanuka is stretching his sonic muscles here, firmly cementing himself as a heavyweight of British music.
The whole thing is a testament to Kiwanuka’s talent: at no part does it seem like he is pulling out all the stops to entice you, rather Small Changes is like a lush leather chair one sinks deeply into, without want or need to leave. It’s timeless: this record could have come out at any point from 1968 to today and provoked the same reaction. Kiwanuka gives the listener licence to project their own circumstances onto its languid musicality: strolling through an autumn cityscape, tasting that first pint after work, mouldering in the grief of lost love.
In a word, it’s spectacular.
Words: Charlie Brock
Photo Credit: Marco Grey
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