Michael Kiwanuka Announces New Album Fudge Amid Medical Recovery![TITLE]

Michael Kiwanuka Announces New Album Fudge Amid Medical Recovery!

It brings welcome news that record artist Michael Kiwanuka has made a strong comeback after suffering a stroke several months ago and facing a lengthy rehabilitation process. Meanwhile, he is set to release his third studio effort, Fudge, on October 23 through Polydor Records. This latest collection marks his first fully self‑produced project since his 2012 debut, Home Again, and was composed almost simultaneously while working on 2024’s Small Changes, according to a press release.

Production Insights
Rather than entrusting Fudge to longtime collaborators Danger Mouse and Inflo, Kiwanuka opted to take creative control himself, with assistance from producer Dom Monks and string arranger Rosie Danvers. He cited an inspiring interview with jazz pianist Chick Corea, in which Corea urged musicians to trust their own taste rather than conform to others’ expectations: “You have to learn to be certain about what you like, not what you think sounds good to someone else… Whatever you think is beautiful, that’s what’s beautiful, and you must pursue that.”

*Fudge*:
01 Summer Clothes
02 California
03 Just Another Moment
04 Drowning in Your Heart
05 Love in My Heart
06 Across the Sky
07 Stars
08 You Sent Me Flying
09 Move in My Direction
10 Steve’s Paradise
11 Sing
12 Swings and Roundabouts

In a written note posted to Instagram, Kiwanuka explained that his stroke resulted from a brain bleed exacerbated by high blood pressure. “The brain injury I suffered was quite severe, so there’s a lot of rehab to be done,” he wrote. “It’s a long, tough journey ahead, but I’m fighting to get better.” His full announcement on social media reads:

I’m very happy to be announcing to you my new album FUDGE. I’m especially happy because the last few months I’ve been battling some health problems which would heavily hinder and get in the way of me making music for the foreseeable future.

A few months ago I suffered a stroke brought on by a bleed in my brain brought on by high blood pressure. It’s a long journey recovering from a stroke, which is why I missed some gigs recently out in the US, but I look forward to seeing you all soon.

I’m not sure when I’ll be able to be back out on the road or what that will look like, the brain injury I suffered was quite severe so there’s a lot of rehab to be done, it’s a long, tough journey ahead but I’m fighting to get better. It has been a difficult few months I must say but it feels like I’m on my way there now.

I want to say a special thank you to all the incredible NHS staff and every single medical professional who has helped care for me and continue to help and encourage me in my recovery. And thank you to my friends and family for their continued support and to my team who will keep you updated with all things Fudge related.

This has certainly been one of the toughest challenges I’ve faced, and I’ll be happy to be on the other side of it when the time comes. Until then I wish you all well and look forward to seeing you further down the road.

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