Review: MICHAEL KIWANUKA

Michael Kiwanuka releases «Fudge», the fifth album recorded together with «Small Changes» and postponed for a year due to his health problems.

Michael Kiwanuka gives us a gift, and «Fudge» is a jewel.

He recorded it in Southampton and Frome, in parallel with 2024’s «Small Changes», and it should have been released a year ago. In July 2025, a brain stroke forced him to stay in hospital for months, concerts were suspended and today the musician is in rehabilitation. The songs tell of his life before all this, and are the work of a musician who enjoys creating and takes pleasure in sharing what he creates.

Fifth studio album, «Fudge» has nothing of its sister album left in the drawer. For the first time since the debut of «Home Again» in 2012, Kiwanuka changes the team working behind the scenes. He leaves Danger Mouse and Inflo, the trusted producers who have accompanied him from «Love & Hate» onwards, and takes over the reins of production. He then entrusted the first recordings to Dom Monks, already working with Laura Marling and Big Thief, and to Rosie Danvers, historical collaborator for the strings, to complete the album.

The strings are there, yet the result is not the orchestral monument that Kiwanuka was accustomed to. «Fudge» is a fragile and warm work, which leaves the joints visible.

The album begins with the sun and the carefreeness of Summer Clothes, California rests on a trippy rhythm, and the slight distortion on the vocals recalls the tricks with which Damon Albarn energizes Gorillaz. Just Another Moment it starts with a relaxed yacht rock, punctuated by the ticking of the drum machine, and opens into a larger and more cinematic orchestral coda: an ambitious piece that doesn’t fall apart because underneath there is a solid melody.

Drowning In Your Heart cuts to the bone, a heartfelt love song that revels in its own quiet confidence. Continued Love In My Heart, a seven-minute slow paced ballad: the central section shows a Kiwanuka as happy at home as he is in the studio, the ending bends towards prog and fades into a soft orchestral close. You Sent Me Flying it remains languid and suspendedMove In My Direction it envelops you and takes you where it wants, just like that Steve’s Paradise with the long instrumental start and the liquid ending.
Closes the disc Swings And Roundaboutsacoustic, essential, sweet.

«Fudge» is a cohesive album, the sound of a special artist who remains true to himself to the end. Always and anyway.

SCORE: 8.00

THE VOTES OF OTHERS

Clash Music – Rating 8.00
The Independent (UK) – Rating 8.00
Nme – Rating 8.00
Mojo – Rating 8.00
Rolling Stone (UK) – Rating 8.00
The Guardian – Rating 8.00
Uncut – Rating 7.00

TO LISTEN NOW

Summer Clothes – Move In My Direction – Swings And Roundabouts

TO BE SKIPPED IMMEDIATELY

61 minutes of atmosphere, of a soft and delicate journey into the world of music.

TRACKLIST

Summer Clothes
California
Just Another Moment
Drowning In Your Heart
Love In My Heart
Across The Sky
Stars
You Sent Me Flying
Move In My Direction
Steve’s Paradise
Sing
Swings And Roundabouts