Back in 2012 I gave Michael Kiwanuka's debut album Home Again a five star review and made bold predictions about his future success. Now I am embarrassed because Love and Hate is even better but I don't do six stars.
The opening 10 minute track Cold Little Heart finds Kiwanuka channelling Floyd's David Gilmour with a stunning guitar workout. It's a full five minutes before the vocals roll in and it's a simply awesome intro.
With Danger Mouse on production you quite rightly expect the sound to be first class, and it is.
The difference between album one and album two is Michael Kiwanuka's growth as both a songwriter and as a vocalist. Plus the settings vary markedly from track to track.
There are snappy call and response vocals between him and the back-up singers, and the use of strings makes Love and Hate a winner in every way.