“I have definitely become a fan after this listen. I feel very connected to this music and it really resonates in my own way” - Michael Kiwanuka - Fudge - Album Review - By The Fans Magazine

Words & Review: Amber Williams

Photography Credit: Marco Grey

Fudge, released on 23rd of October, is Michael Kiwanuka’s 5th studio album. Fudge was actually supposed to be released last autumn but unfortunately Michael suffered a stroke, in which he actually has not been able to go home since. Kiwanka says that Fudge was created as a way to convey a sense of optimism.

Summer Clothes starts off very atmospheric musically, the track starts with someone talking about how music is an art form, and it is a beautiful one at that. This song was first released as a single. The lyrics display feelings of nothing changing his mind, his pride and his happiness. The music has a very atmospheric feel and starts with strings and keys, which definitely gave me a good start for the feel of this album. 

California was another single released before the album came out, it carries on with the atmospheric vibe as before. But at the start of this song there is more of a drumbeat adding a bit more of an upbeat vibe but in a different way to how the first song felt optimistic. As I first listened to this song I thought it might be about the state, but I did my research into the album and Michael himself said it wasn’t really about the state itself, he was in the state when he wrote some of the album. 

Just Another Moment’s instrumentals start off amazing, I am constantly bopping my head when listening to this song. To me this song felt like being in touch with your emotions and accepting them and kind of taking them on. I found this song heavily instrumental, as if the vocals are something that is adding to the instruments. I liked the build up of the  drums, bass and low toned electric guitar and the aspect of strings. This is definitely one of my favourite songs of the album. 

Drowning In Your Heart has a slower start than all of the other tracks so far, starts off a lot more simple instrumentally. Lyrics could imply that someone has too many feelings that they are drowning in them. Listening to this song I realised that a lot of his music is very heavy with the instrumentals.  I haven’t really listened to much of his music, but this is an aspect of a lot of music that I really like. 

Love In My Heart is a massive contrast to the last song. There is more of a punchy beat to this song suggesting more upbeat. In this song there are 4 minutes of instrumentals, kind of psychedelic vibes throughout this song which I did really enjoy. The instrumental bit builds up more towards the end with louder aspects and heavier drums which adds a change into the song and change of aspects, it then slows back down before the end of the song. 

Across The Sky carries onto slower vibes that has been a theme through this album. To me this song is exploring themes of death, and being lonely. He says I love you a lot through this song, and he also expresses his love throughout this album quite a few times. Kiwanka’s inspiration comes from Shuggie Otis’ album ‘Inspiration Information’, which is one of his favourite albums of all time, and I think you can hear this in the song. 

Stars has a funkier vibe, with heavier guitar and the singing is a lot more present than in all of the other tracks, it could give more of a confident vibe to the song as well. The song explores the feelings of living as stars which could mean that you are bright and optimistic, as people see stars as this nice thing in the sky to look at, and for me stars always make me feel better and feel warmer on the inside.

You Sent Me Flying starts with just acoustic guitar and vocals, the lyrics conveyed a love song. To me this song felt a lot like happiness/being in love or even just feeling a lot of love for someone. He sings about how this love set him free. The vocals and instruments are very present. 

Move In My Direction follows on from the acoustic vibe from the last song and the lyrics explore the feelings of meeting someone halfway which could mean physically or in terms of compromise. It’s a bit less optimistic compared to the other songs we have experienced throughout listening to the album, which shows that he is just like any of us, experiencing bad emotions too and also in a way that he is still in touch with his emotions. This song also explores feelings of being too tired to put in the effort with someone but still wishing they were by your side. 

Steve’s Paradise is still following the slow acoustic vibe of the last few songs, however this song has barely any vocals at all. There is a heavier bass line in the song; it is a lot more prominent along with the keys and synth. The vocals that are in this song are layered with harmonies and also backing vocalists. 

Sing is still acoustic and this song explores lyrics saying he needs miracles, which after reading about his current physical health situation, helps us see how he is feeling. Despite the lyrics being sad they music is still a little optimistic, which makes us feel as listeners that he is still feeling a little optimistic and is hoping for the best. He sings about hoping the person who has been through his side will always be there for him because they wouldn't have got through this without them, and also the importance of singing. 

Swings And Roundabouts kind of follows from the last sing in the way that it is about life but it is more optimistic in the way that it is saying that even though sometimes life is rubbish, it has its ways of getting things to you that and I think this is the perfect song to end the album on.

Listening to this album I feel very optimistic about life, and as someone that has only ever really listened to Michael Kiwanuka most popular music, I have definitely become a fan after this listen. I feel very connected to this music and it really resonates in my own way with the changes of my life and my mindset.