Michael Kiwanuka recovers and drops new LP
U.K. singer and songwriter Michael Kiwanuka is bringing his fifth album, FUDGE, to life, marking a powerful testament to resilience as he navigates recovery from a serious health challenge. The release is arriving just as Kiwanuka is on a long and tough journey back to full health, turning the creative process into a deeply personal exploration of instinct and healing.
The announcement of the new music comes amid a period of intense recovery. A few months ago, Kiwanuka suffered a stroke brought on by a brain bleed resulting from high blood pressure, an experience he described as quite severe. This health battle inevitably put his touring plans on hold, forcing him to prioritize his recovery while still seeking ways to create.
Despite the physical hurdles, the creative engine continued to run. Kiwanuka shared his optimism on social media, expressing happiness about the album release because the preceding months had presented obstacles that would otherwise have hindered his ability to make music.
The making of FUDGE was an experiment in creative freedom. Rather than relying on established studio partnerships, Kiwanuka built a one-room studio near his Southampton home out of rough organic materials, dubbing it Dreamers. Here, he collaborated with multi-instrumentalist Joe Connell and members of his touring band, creating a unique creative ecosystem where he could simply pop in and let his creative brain wake up.
This spontaneous environment sparked a pivotal moment. After jamming in the studio, the group created a seven-minute track titled Love in My Heart, which served as the ‘eureka moment’ for the album. This loose, spontaneous energy became the animating force behind FUDGE, a sound that drew inspiration from legends like the Beatles’ Rubber Soul, Neil Young’s On the Beach, Frank Ocean’s Blonde, and Shuggie Otis’Inspiration Information.
The album title, FUDGE, perfectly captures the record’s guiding philosophy: less pressure and more instinct. Kiwanuka explained that the term suggests a playful, childlike approach to creativity—a polite way of saying he is simply going to do it, rather than stressing over the outcome.
While the music traveled without him during his recovery, the album also provided an opportunity for Kiwanuka to revisit older material, including songs from his earlier work, demonstrating his enduring connection to his craft. He reflected that while music had always felt intuitive, turning it into a career presented new challenges, but the love for playing guitar remained steadfast.
The record was completed through collaborations with producer Dom Monks (known for work with Laura Marling and Big Thief) and longtime strings collaborator Rosie Danvers, adding depth and polish to the organic foundation.
Kiwanuka remains hopeful for the future, acknowledging that this experience has been one of the toughest challenges he has faced, but he looks forward to seeing what the road ahead holds. He expressed gratitude for the incredible care provided by the NHS staff during his recovery and looks forward to connecting with fans once he is fully recovered.
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