CD Of The Month

WXPN Radio

The premier guide for new and significant artists in rock, blues, and folk - including NPR-syndicated World Cafe ®

Listen Xpo

24/7 Musical discovery. A unique mix of emerging and heritage blues, rock, world, folk, and alt-country artists.

Singer Songwriter Radio

Featuring classics from heritage troubadours to new musicians and bands in the singer-songwriter tradition.

Folk Radio

Folk music radio streaming on the web; Americana, Roots Music, recordings, and stories from folk's best.
Listen Live

Michael Kiwanuka - Home Again - Interscope

There are some artists that just don’t act their age. And in the case of XPN Aritst To Watch Michael Kiwanuka, that's a good thing! The fact that this singer-songwriter is in his early 20’s will be the last thing to come to mind (if at all) when you make your way through his debut album Home Again. Kiwanuka is the latest in a wave of British soul and R&B singers to captivate audiences. And while connections to his peers like Adele exist, he paves his own path to our ears with the songs of Home Again.



Kiwanuka, himself, is from London while his parents are originally from Uganda. He studied music in school and eventually began work as a studio session guitarist. That’s before he tried his hand at performing on his own. In 2011, he released a couple EPs and his demand began to grow. He was requested to open shows for Adele on her 2011 tour, and followed in her footsteps winning the BBC Sound of 2012 Poll. The award acknowledges promising talent. And Kiwanuka is just that. The soulful set of songs that is Home Again is caressed with warmth that brings to mind greats like Otis Redding and Bill Withers. It's a hypnotizing experience listening to songs like "I'm Getting Ready" or "Home Again." Kiwanuka's gentle, thoughtful delivery is the big reason why, but also tip your cap to producer Paul Butler who sets the scene. And he does so beautifully. His carefully crafted orchestrations with delicate strings and tasteful backing vocals are the perfect complement to Kiwanuka's tender vocal touch.

There are artists who try to recreate classic soul music and then there are musicians who simply are soul music. Michael Kiwanuka firmly feels like the latter. Home Again features a number of songs from Michael’s original EPs, plus a few newer tunes. It all coalesces into the debut from an artist whose star seems destined to rise.

Another Way To Support WXPN

Pick up Home Again from Amazon.com. Your purchase that starts here supports WXPN Public Radio.

Help Support WXPN

Make Music Philly Spotlight: Sylvia Platypus

If the name alone wasn’t enough to pique your curiosity, then the bagpipes will. Philly’s own six-piece...Read More

Light Heat’s new album now streaming at The New York Times website (appearing on XPN Philly Local...

Light Heat‘s self-titled debut is due out on June 25th via Ribbon Music, but if you’re itching to hear it now, the album...Read More

Folkadelphia Session: Balto (performing at Lickety Split this Wednesday)

Because you love to discover great music, this week we’ll be debuting 3 new Folkadelphia Sessions for you to fall in love with....Read More

How some Philly punk rockers are giving back to the community with the Big Footprints Project

Brendan Lukens is used to watching things grow right before his eyes. The frontman and founder of Philly local pop punk band Modern...Read More

Watch a conversation with instrumental duo El Ten Eleven, shot at the North Star (playing Johnny Brenda’s on...

El Ten Eleven is a duo that doesn’t like to be captured in a label.  They make powerful instrumental music that spans various...Read More