Home / Arts and Entertainment / Kiwanuka's 'Fudge': A Stroke Survivor's Resilient Musical Return
Kiwanuka's 'Fudge': A Stroke Survivor's Resilient Musical Return
19 Oct
Summary
- Michael Kiwanuka releases 'Fudge' after recovering from a stroke.
- The album was recorded in a Southampton studio, differing from 'Small Changes'.
- Despite its raw sound, 'Fudge' features strong melodies and heartfelt lyrics.
Michael Kiwanuka is belatedly releasing his album 'Fudge,' a project conceived alongside his 2024 release 'Small Changes.' The new album was recorded in Southampton, offering a distinctively rougher edge compared to the polished 'Small Changes' made in Los Angeles with prominent producers. Kiwanuka's return with 'Fudge' follows a stroke he suffered, necessitating hospitalization and ongoing care in Hampshire. He explained the delayed release, stating, "I don't know how long it will be until I can release another record."
The album opens with a quote from jazz pianist Chick Corea about artistic certainty. 'Fudge' exhibits a gritty, live-in-studio feel, with audible tape hiss and abrupt beginnings on tracks like 'Across the Sky.' However, it also boasts lush string arrangements and memorable melodies, with songs like 'Love in My Heart' and 'California' highlighted for their strength.
Despite its experimental origins as studio jams, the tracks on 'Fudge' are cohesive, avoiding self-indulgence. The album's themes of career uncertainty, mentioned in songs like 'Stars' and 'Sing,' now carry added resonance following Kiwanuka's health crisis. Nonetheless, the music itself suggests a confident artist, contrary to any described crisis of confidence.
