HomeMichael KiwanukaCold Little Heart
Cold Little Heart
R&B / Soul · 2017

Cold Little Heart

A ten-minute odyssey of psychedelic soul that builds from a cinematic orchestral overture into a raw, heart-wrenching plea for emotional survival.

February 24, 2017 · Polydor (2)

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Cold Little Heart is less a traditional soul single and more a sprawling, psychedelic epic that demands total immersion. It begins with a nearly five-minute instrumental overture that feels like a lost 1970s film score, blending the space-rock textures of Pink Floyd with the symphonic soul of Isaac Hayes. The production is thick with analog warmth, featuring weeping strings and a fuzzy, melodic guitar line that sets a tone of profound yearning before a single word is even spoken. It is a masterclass in tension and release, building a world of sonic fog that slowly clears to reveal Michael Kiwanuka's vulnerable, gravelly baritone.

Moments Worth Listening For
The transition at the five-minute mark when the sprawling instrumental intro suddenly snaps into a tight, soulful groove
The arrival of the soaring female backing choir that elevates the chorus into a spiritual plea
The fuzzy, David Gilmour-esque guitar solo that cries out over the lush string section in the opening minutes

How does Cold Little Heart sound next to the rest of Michael Kiwanuka's catalogue?

Melancholic+3.3σ

Melancholic saturates this record far more than the artist's norm.

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