Michael Kiwanuka is one artist who knows how to take a break. It’s been five years since he dropped his Mercury Prize-winning KIWANUKA in 2019 and three years since he released his last solo single “Beautiful Life” (though it’s rumored that he has something to do with the mysterious collective known as SAULT). He’s back on the block, though, and he’s bringing something beautiful with his new single “Floating Parade.”
Michael teams with producing geniuses Inflo and Danger Mouse to craft the track, and the three gentlemen create some magic here. It begins with a far-off chorus of voices that seemingly float into space as it’s backed by steady bass, beautiful strings and programmed drums that keep the rhythm shuffling along. It’s a sound bed that instantly feels like ’70s soul and lays a perfect foundation for Michael’s warm, soulful vocal.
He sings of taking a moment to tap into oneself to briefly escape the pressures and troubles of the world around us. “We can’t be stronger than life itself / We can be solid but hardly make a dent / So I’ll be a full-on child for a while,” he sings. “People keep talking about how pots don’t melt / Well, we don’t belong in this hard luck hand we’re dealt / So we need foreign times to arrive / And we’ll reach out to that floating parade.”
In a time that we could all use a soothing escape, we think Michael Kiwanuka might have the right idea. You can stream “Floating Parade” and watch its lyric video below. You can also catch the performer on the road later this year as he’s set to tour both Europe and North America in the coming months. Visit his website for a full list of dates and ticket information.
