Stings (album)

Stings
Studio album by
Kamaal Williams
Released27 September 2023 (2023-09-27)
Recorded2022
LabelBlack Focus
Producer
Kamaal Williams chronology
Wu Hen
(2020) 		Stings
(2023)

Stings is the third studio album by English musician Kamaal Williams, released on 27 September 2023 under Black Focus Records.[1][2]

Background

According to Williams, Stings "integrate[s] more oriental imagery and add[s] more melodic elements."[3] Williams reportedly began composing the album on a newly purchased upright piano during the COVID-19 pandemic. The album was recorded in Los Angeles and Chicago in early 2022. Miguel Atwood-Ferguson features on the record as an arranger.[1]

The visuals for Stings were designed by Sascha Lobe and Kimberly Lloyd.[4]

On 29 March 2023, Williams gave an exclusive performance of the album's songs at a Roland store in London.[5][6]

The song "PKKNO" was released alongside the track listing announcement of Stings.[1]

According to XLR8R, Stings "is rooted in the South London jazz scene that birthed [Williams]" but "levitates into the impressionist symphonies of Claude Debussy, [and] hip-hop and electronic beats."[2]

Reception

Passion of the Weiss ranked the album at number 31 in its Best Albums of 2023 list.[7]

Track listing

No.TitleLength
1."The Last Symphony"1:30
2."The Guvna"4:00
3."Stings"4:50
4."Little River"4:04
5."Dogtown"6:30
6."Repercussions"4:22
7."City of God"3:19
8."Taiwan"4:55
9."Ronan"2:22
10."Magnolia"3:56
11."The Last Symphony/Magnolia"6:02
12."Magnolia II"3:17
13."PKKNO"2:47

Tracks 1-10 and 11-13 are split into separate discs in Spotify and Apple Music.[8][9]

References

  1. ^ a b c Slingerland, Calum. "Kamaal Williams Details New Album 'Stings,' Shares New Song 'PKKNO'". Exclaim!. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
  2. ^ a b Staff. (11 July 2023). "Kamaal Williams to Release Third Solo Album". XLR8R. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
  3. ^ Lee, Nicole (31 January 2023). "台英混血音樂家Kamaal Williams吳罕帶你進入爵士樂的新世代". Vogue Taiwan (in Chinese). Retrieved 1 February 2023.
  4. ^ Murray, Robin (11 July 2023). "Kamaal Williams Announces New Album 'Stings'". Clash. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
  5. ^ Shlensky, Carolyn (30 May 2023). "A Few Minutes with Kamaal Williams". Roland Corporation. Retrieved 3 July 2023.
  6. ^ "Kamaal Williams Magnolia (Live Piano Performance at the Roland Store)". Retrieved 22 July 2023 – via YouTube.
  7. ^ Biswas, Joel (28 December 2023). "The POW Best Albums of 2023". Passion of the Weiss. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  8. ^ "Stings - Kamaal Williams". 27 September 2023. Retrieved 28 September 2023 – via Spotify.
  9. ^ "Stings by Kamaal Williams". 27 September 2023. Retrieved 28 September 2023 – via Apple Music.