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Album Review: Michael Kiwanuka - Love & Hate

Dylan Stewart
StarStarStarStar

"Faith never alienates the casual listener or those simply with an enjoyment of fine music."

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Michael Kiwanuka's 2012 debut Home Again was a surprise packet, a soulful collection of grooves made for lovers.

He's taken his time to dust off album number two, but Love & Hate proves that it's been time well spent. Sure, there are the tender moments that made Home Again so impressive, as do the diverse sounds — think the album's Morricone-esque opening five minutes, or the downright bluesy guitar licks that litter the record. Faith is important to Kiwanuka and it shows on tracks like Father's Child, but it never alienates the casual listener or those simply with an enjoyment of fine music.