In MICHAEL KIWANUKA: SMALL CHANGES BIOGRAPHY 2024, it is noted that some might expect the pressure of following up a globally acclaimed album to weigh heavily on Michael Kiwanuka, but he approaches his creative process with a calm, open mindset. Despite major life changes — like the birth of two children and a move out of London — Kiwanuka remains unfazed, embracing these experiences as sources of inspiration. He recalls an artist friend telling him, "children give you wings," a sentiment that now resonates deeply with him.
This newfound sense of freedom is reflected in his fourth album, particularly its first single, “Floating Parade,” a dreamy, uplifting song inspired by a vision of people lost in celebration, offering an escape from life's anxieties. The title of the song refers to the moment, when Michael saw “a crowd of people moving together in the street, just lost in celebration. And at times of anxiety, I thought that’s exactly where you need to get to. A floating parade which releases you from whatever oppressive place you find yourself in life.”
While working on the album with Burton and Inflo, initially at RAK Studios in London, then in Los Angeles, and finally at Burton's Connecticut studio in the spring of 2024, Kiwanuka embraced Inflo's belief that the first impulse is often the right one.
“In some ways,” he elaborates, “I’m the very opposite of that, because I usually need to get to a point where I can believe in myself first, and that takes some time. Inflo’s maxim is that the moment you start second-guessing yourself, that’s when you down tools and take a break from it.”
An early result of this approach was the album's beautifully evocative title track, "Small Changes." Collaborating with passionate record collectors like Burton and Inflo often means that inspiration can emerge from the grooves of another record. When remembering The Byrds co-founder Gene Clark, Burton brings up Clark’s influential 1974 solo album ‘No Other.’
“Everything about it blew me away,” recalls Kiwanuka, “The emotion, the melodies, the arrangements. And though you wouldn’t spot the connection by listening to my song, the process of taking inspiration from other artists is all about jumping-off points, ways to blindside your own creativity.”
Michael Kiwanuka - Small Changes (cover art by Yout)
MICHAEL KIWANUKA: SMALL CHANGES WEBSTORE CD | VINYL | CASSETTE
(album ships on November 15, 2024)
In the centerfold of “Small Changes,” there is a double suite consisting of two progressively tailored compositions, “Lowdown (part i)” and “Lowdown (part ii)”, which have broaden the core trio of Kiwanuka and his dedicated co-producers to include a dream team of collaborators, featuring legendary bassist Pino Palladino (D’Angelo, John Mayer, Beyoncé) and Jimmy Jam of the renowned Jam and Lewis songwriting and production duo (Janet Jackson, Prince, SOS Band).
In the “Lowdown (part i),” a low-slung, bass-heavy, guitar-soul number, Kiwanuka is leaning into his love of 70s Afro-rock classics by the likes of Amanaz from Zambia and teenage Nigerian prodigies Ofege.
“If you listen to Amanaz, it’s almost like a 70s African take on The Velvet Underground, and that energy once again tells you what the song needs to be – in this case as sort of throwback to that time in your life when you’re essentially a slacker in retreat from the world’s expectations.”
A smooth and naturally sounded development, “Lowdown (part ii)” echoes with the atmospheric, string-laden psychedelia and expansive guitar solos that have become synonymous with Michael's style in his previous two albums.
To spark the anticipation of the upcoming new release, Michael has introduced a double video for “Lowdown (part i)” and “Lowdown (part ii)” directed by Blackwall:
Michael Kiwanuka - Lowdown (parts i and ii)
Stream “Lowdown (part i)” & “Lowdown (part ii)”
http://michaelkiwanuka.lnk.to/lowdown
Pre-order Small Changes
https://michaelkiwanuka.lnk.to/smallchanges
Michael Kiwanuka - Small Changes (cover art by Yout)
1. Floating Parade 2. Small Changes 3. One And Only 4. Rebel Soul 5. Lowdown (part i) 6. Lowdown (part ii) 7. Follow your Dreams 8. Live For Your Love 9. Stay By My Side 10. The Rest Of Me 11. Four Long Years 1. Floating Parade 2. Small Changes 3. One And Only 4. Rebel Soul 5. Lowdown (part i) 6. Lowdown (part ii) 7. Follow your Dreams 8. Live For Your Love 9. Stay By My Side 10. The Rest Of Me 11. Four Long Years
Small Changes Track List
Michael will be heading to North America later this month for a mostly co-headline tour with Brittany Howard, a lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist, and the primary songwriter of Alabama Shakes, with whom Brittany won four Grammy Awards (including Best Alternative Music Album) from nine nominations.
The tour will be kicking off in Toronto, ON on September 25 with a few Kiwanuka’s solo shows, with Brittany joining in Boston on September 30th and making stops in NYC, Denver, Seattle, and LA, among other cities, before wrapping up in Paso Robles, California on October 19.
Michael Kiwanuka will then continue touring in the UK and Europe, with dates to be announced soon, following his performances at major summer festivals, including a memorable sunset set on Glastonbury’s Pyramid Stage and a headline appearance at the Wilderness Festival.
Michael Samuel Kiwanuka is a British singer-songwriter and record producer whose music blends elements of soul, folk, and rock, creating a genre that's often described as *neo-soul* with a vintage flair.
His 2012 debut album, Home Again, went gold in the United Kingdom, and his second album, Love & Hate, debuted in 2016 at number one. His 2019 album “Kiwanuka” draws heavily on the rich, emotive sound of the 60s and 70s soul, merging it with modern production techniques. The album incorporates lush string arrangements, gospel influences, and psychedelic touches while still grounded in the raw emotional depth of folk and blues.
Kiwanuka’s introspective lyrics, paired with his soulful voice, evoke comparisons to artists like Marvin Gaye and Bill Withers but with a contemporary edge, making it a standout in the modern soul revival.
Michael has been nominated for numerous honors, including the Brit Awards, MTV Europe Music Awards, BBC Music Awards, and The Grammy Awards. In January 2012, he won the BBC's Sound of 2012, and in September 2020, he won the Mercury Prize.
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Geffen Records is owned by the Interscope Geffen A&M (IGA) faction of Universal Music Group (UMG).
