Michael Kiwanuka has dropped his new single “Beautiful Life”, the new track is featured within the documentary “Convergence: Courage In A Crisis”.
The singer took to his Twitter to announce the release to fans.
I never want to take making music for granted ever again. This is one of the lessons this last year and a half has taught me. So it’s my pleasure to share with you ‘Beautiful Life’. Even in the dark times there’s some beauty. Even when it’s not easy.https://t.co/0a48uFRgjJ pic.twitter.com/S43chmQbV4
— Michael Kiwanuka (@michaelkiwanuka) October 12, 2021
The Mercury-Prize winning artist’s dreamy new release was recorded during work on his upcoming album. Kiwanuka recorded his new material in London and worked with producer St Francis Hotel. The new single’s press release describes the track, “it’s classic Michael Kiwanuka; all otherworldly sounds, psychedelic hues, and that rich, mellifluous vocal. A welcome return by one of the most visionary artists of a generation.”
After the release of his last album, the singer embarked on a tour in support of his third studio album, Kiwanuka. However, due to the recent COVD-19 pandemic, the artist’s tour was cancelled and subsequently was unable to play the new material live. Within this downtime, the singer had time to write and work on his fourth studio album. It was during this time that director Orlando von Einsiedel approached Kiwanuka to collaborate on his new documentary, “Convergence: Courage In A Crisis”. The singer’s new track “Beautiful Life” is the title track for the Oscar award-winning director’s feature, the documentary is available to watch on Netflix.
Kiwanuka has provided the following statement concerning his new track, “In this song I wanted to focus on the feeling that there’s a real strength in the human spirit when you try to look for beauty even in difficult situations. Of course, in some situations that becomes more and more difficult. But I just wanted to ponder on that and wonder what life would be like if I lived it like that. Ultimately whatever people feel from hearing the song is ok with me. But what I was trying to emit through the music was a feeling of defiance. A feeling of strength through adversity.”
In 2020 the singer won the Mercury Prize for his third studio album Kiwanuka. The singer has been shortlisted twice prior to his win, he received nominations for Home Again and Love & Hate. The album was also nominated for Best British Album of the Year at the 2020 Brit Awards, the singer was also nominated for British Male Solo Artist.
The album was released on 1st November 2019 via Polydor and Interscope Records and sired 5 singles. The singer’s third album was released to great critical and commercial success and reached number two within the UK album charts.
In more recent news, the 34-year-old singer has been writing and demoing songs from his upcoming fourth album. Kiwanuka will soon be hitting the road, in Spring 2022 the singer will be performing his new material live. The award-winning artist will start the UK leg of his tour in Glasgow on 6th May, the tour will wrap up with an appearance at the Green Man Festival. The singer’s UK tour comprises of 15 UK performances including a sold-out performance at Knebworth Park in June with Liam Gallagher. For the rest of 2022, the multi-talented artist will be continuing his tour in Europe.
Michael Kiwanuka UK tour dates
06/05/2022 – O2 Academy – Glasgow
08/05 – O2 Academy – Leeds
09/05 – De Montford Hall – Leicester
11/05 – Corn Exchange – Cambridge
13/05 – Empress Ballroom – Blackpool
14/05 – Bonus Arena – Hull
17/05 – O2 Apollo – Manchester
18/05 – O2 City Hall – Newcastle
20/05 – Brighton Centre – Brighton
21/05 – Pavilions – Plymouth
23/05 – O2 Academy Brixton – London
25/05 – Alexandra Palace – London
04/06 – Knebworth Park – Herts (With Liam Gallagher)
08/08 – Summer Sessions – Edinburgh
18-21/08 – Green Man Festival – Brecon Beacons
Click here to listen to “Beautiful Life“.
