Michael Kiwanuka returns with luscious ‘Floating Parade’
It’s been a long three years since Michael Kiwanuka last offered us new music, but he’s finally back again with the luscious ‘Floating Parade’. The track arrives ahead of his forthcoming tour of the US with Brittany Howard as he currently awes crowds on the festival circuit in Europe.
So, what has that wait incubated? ‘Floating Parade’ feels like a fitting return—it is a meditative search for solace. It is a message that echoes the ethos of ‘The Revolution Will Not Be Televised’ before it, crooning a gentle affirmation to take control of what you can and seek a sunnier disposition to the one being served.
The rolling music of ‘Floating Parade’ certainly helps to provide that. For the track, Kiwanuka has once again partnered with his old pals Danger Mouse and Inflo. Their groove-heavy production inflects the track with a sense of fluid movement as rolling bass rules over the instrumental mix, propping sweetly delivered vocals and Kiwanuka’s trademark ability to gently hit upon profound emotion with ease, like skipping your way to an ascent of Mount Everest.
Along with sweeping strings, ooohing choir effects and the Londoners characteristically considered strums, the song becomes a study of honeyed richness. ‘Floating Points’ is both simple and intricate, much like the lyrics that sit atop of it. Thusly, the abiding feeling upon early listens is as sense of relief that its great to have Kiwanuka back making music, even if the song sadly didn’t accompany an album announcement.
Beyond the breakdown of the track, there’s an assuredness to it that silently states that Kiwanuka is an artist in the truest sense. His liquid croon is the sort that could sing an alphabetised shopping list and still sound hypnotic by the time you got down to Zoflora. It is comforting and affecting, with ‘Floating Points’ as humbly welcoming as an unmade bed to a hangover.
Kiwanuka is also fresh from a stunning set on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury Festival. During the performance he suffered a technical hitch that he described as his “worst nightmare”, but it failed to throw off what was easily one of the best sets of a crowded weekend.
It’s rare you find a moment of quietude at Worthy Farm, but ‘Floating Parade’ is further proof that he’s a star who could gently rock a can of Red Bull to sleep.