Released 10 years ago
Love & Hate
Michael Kiwanuka · 2016
54 min · 10 tracks · folk rock
A soulful blend of introspective lyrics and lush instrumentation that captures the duality of love and pain.
Top tracks — play these first
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Cold Little Heart — Opening with haunting instrumentals, this track sets the emotional tone for the album and features a powerful vocal performance that draws listeners in.
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Black Man in a White World — This song stands out for its poignant commentary on race and identity, combining a catchy melody with deeply reflective lyrics that challenge societal norms.
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Love & Hate — The title track encapsulates the album's theme by juxtaposing contrasting emotions within its lyrics, delivering a raw exploration of personal conflict.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends rich instrumentation with introspective lyrics, creating a compelling emotional journey.
What we noticed
- The opening track features a lengthy instrumental intro that sets a somber tone before introducing vocals.
- Several tracks incorporate orchestral elements, such as strings and horns, which enhance the emotional weight of the lyrics.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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8/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- wave-like emotional exploration
- introspective moments of vulnerability
- deeply resonant soulful melodies
- reflective listening in solitude
Maybe skip if you
- seeking upbeat party vibes
- prefer short standalone tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on January 1, 2016, Love & Hate is Michael Kiwanuka's second studio album, following his critically acclaimed debut, Home Again. At this point in his career, Kiwanuka was establishing himself as a significant voice in contemporary soul music, building on the momentum from his breakout success.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Leon Bridges· Ben Howard· Hozier
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Black Man in a White World
The verse directly confronts systemic racism while embracing personal strength, creating a resonant call for self-acceptance amidst external challenges.
By intertwining vulnerability with a message of empowerment, this moment highlights Kiwanuka's skill in addressing complex social issues through intimate storytelling.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Cold Little Heart 9:57
- 2 Black Man in a White World 4:18
- 3 Falling 4:16
- 4 Place I Belong 4:47
- 5 Love & Hate 7:07
- 6 One More Night 3:53
- 7 I’ll Never Love 2:45
- 8 Rule the World 5:42
- 9 Father’s Child 7:05
- 10 The Final Frame 4:59
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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