Listeners were invited to embark on a journey of discovery at KEF Music Gallery London, to celebrate the launch of ‘Small Changes‘ by Michael Kiwanuka.
Attendees were granted an exclusive first listen to the album ahead of it’s release within KEF’s state-of-the-art Ultimate Experience Room, which is equipped with an exceptional 9.14.4 Dolby Atmosphere surround system comprised of KEF’s flagship Muon HiFi speakers, Ci Reference in-wall speakers and KC92 Subwoofer.
Digging deeper, guests explored a curated collection of album artwork and photography shot by Yout, the creative duo who work closely with Little Simz, Ezra Collective & Nubya Garcia hosted in the Atelier Room. As well as a glimpse at Michael’s own never-before-seen photography.
‘Small Changes’ is the eagerly anticipated follow-up to Michael’s eponymous third LP, the Mercury Prize winning, and Grammy Award nominated ‘KIWANUKA’. His first album in more than five years, ‘Small Changes’ finds Michael Kiwanuka revelling in subtlety. Working with producers Danger Mouse and Inflo, there’s a beauty to the performances, and an intimacy to the arrangements. Mic placements are skin-tight with the vocal, while the tempo – much of the record acts as a UK equivalent to the sweet-soul of Thee Sacred Souls, for example – has a sluggish, analytical pull.
Opener ‘Floating Parade’ very much sets the tone. Michael Kiwanuka’s lyrical advance is evident from the off, his fascination with words adding different layers of meaning to the record as a whole. Soft and soulful, there’s a painterly finesse to the way ‘Floating Parade’ is constructed, it’s ballad-adjacent appeal leaving space for those thunderbolts of emotion.
‘Rebel Soul’ is practically a mission statement for the record – or even for Michael Kiwauka’s broader catalogue – while the slomo title song is a perfectly formed aural bath. Gently uplifting, the spacious, soulful introspection is matched to lyrics that often aim at uplifting – ‘Live For Your Love’ and ‘Follow Your Dreams’ may be outwardly simplistic, but most of life’s key lessons are. There’s an enriching way to the manner Michael Kiwanuka explores these things – the supple “over and over again” on ‘Live For Your Love’ for example, set against the raw percussive tick, and those lush strings.
Perhaps the centre-piece of the whole record is the dual-part ‘Lowdown’, a sonic experience that pulls from Axelrod and Colemine, while nodding to British greats such as The Beatles – the guitar line is sheer Harrison – or even Paul Weller. The patience to construct something like this speaks of the confidence at play within Michael Kiwanuka – bold while also understated, it’s quietly riveting.
Closer ‘Four Long Years’ offers stately Southern soul, the triplets on the cymbal lifting from the work done by Stax or Hi, while also feeling wholly modern. The production acts as a window into his heart, the clarity seeming to add intensity to his words. Closing on a magnificent note, it pulls together the threads on this incredible tapestry of work, a complex but warming achievement, one that feels just right to pull around your shoulders on these cold winter days.
The core trio made up of Kiwanuka and his trusty co-producers expanded into a wish-list ensemble that featured legendary bassist Pino Palladino (D’Angelo, John Mayer, Beyoncé) and Jimmy Jam of the iconic Jam and Lewis songwriting and production duo (Janet Jackson, Prince, SOS Band). The gallery is a truly remarkable multi-sensory nirvana for the audio & visual arts, the likes of which we had not experienced before. KEF raised the exceptional record onto the type of pedestal it deserves, no hype.
Address:
KEF Music Gallery
42-48 Great Portland St,
London, W1W 7NB
