War & Leisure

Released in late 2017, War & Leisure serves as Miguel's fourth studio effort and a thematic bridge between the carnal focus of Wildheart and a more outward-looking social consciousness. While lead single 'Sky Walker' suggested a pivot toward mainstream trap-influenced R&B, the full album reveals a much denser sonic palette. Miguel collaborated with a diverse range of producers including Dave Sitek (of TV on the Radio) and Salaam Remi, resulting in a record that feels both global and deeply Californian. The album is notable for its 'War' and 'Leisure' dichotomy: tracks like 'Banana Clip' use weaponized metaphors for love, while the closing track 'Now' addresses immigration and political unrest directly. Critically, it was praised for its cohesion and Miguel's ability to maintain his status as a genre-blurring innovator who successfully integrates rock, funk, and Latin influences (as heard on 'Caramelo Duro') into a contemporary R&B framework.