Home Again
*Home Again* is the accomplished debut by Londoner Michael Kiwanuka. Lush and mellow, the album blends acoustic folk and retro soul with jazzy embellishments. It’s an easy album to get into. The first track, “Tell Me a Tale,” opens with a brisk flurry of notes from a flute before acoustic guitar, bass, piano, and drums fall in. By the time Kiwanuka’s smooth, honey-rich voice rings out, you’re hooked. Joining later are horns, organ, and strings, making an organic template that’s used for the rest of the recording. Each song is well-crafted and carefully arranged, and they sound familiar and fresh all at once. “Bones” is a clever cross between countrypolitan and doo-wop. “Always Waiting” and “I Won’t Lie” are densely textured ballads, while “Rest” and the title track are sophisticated, laid-back pop tunes that would have worked on AM radio in the \'70s and certainly work now. Even songs with world-weary lyrics, such as “Worry Walks Beside Me,” come across as more redemptive than downer thanks to the melody\'s easy flow. *Home Again* is a strong debut from an undeniable talent.
Anglo-Ugandan singer/songwriter Michael Kiwanuka’s debut album was released in the United Kingdom back in March. _Home…
Discover Home Again by Michael Kiwanuka released in 2012. Find album reviews, track lists, credits, awards and more at AllMusic.
It's rare that the hype surrounding an artist translates to genuinely wonderful music. Rare, but not impossible, as ‘Home Again’ proves.
Michael Kiwanuka's got a lovely voice. What a shame he's got nothing to say, writes <strong>Kitty Empire</strong>
<p><strong>Alexis Petridis</strong>: Whether it was intended that way or not, Michael Kiwanuka's debut ticks a lot of the boxes required for pop success in 2012</p>
Michael Kiwanuka's Home Again is a remarkably assured and sophisticated album, writes Helen Brown.
Prodigiously talented north Londoner shows that retro is still in. Album review by Russ Coffey