Stings is the third studio album by English musician Kamaal Williams, released on 27 September 2023 under Black Focus Records.[1][2]
| Stings | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 27 September 2023 | |||
| Recorded | 2022 | |||
| Label | Black Focus | |||
| Producer | ||||
| Kamaal Williams chronology | ||||
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Background edit
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 edit
Passion of the Weiss ranked the album at number 31 in its Best Albums of 2023 list.[7]
Track listing edit
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 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 edit
- ^ a b c Slingerland, Calum. "Kamaal Williams Details New Album 'Stings,' Shares New Song 'PKKNO'". Exclaim!. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
- ^ a b Staff. (11 July 2023). "Kamaal Williams to Release Third Solo Album". XLR8R. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Murray, Robin (11 July 2023). "Kamaal Williams Announces New Album 'Stings'". Clash. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
- ^ Shlensky, Carolyn (30 May 2023). "A Few Minutes with Kamaal Williams". Roland Corporation. Retrieved 3 July 2023.
- ^ "Kamaal Williams Magnolia (Live Piano Performance at the Roland Store)". Retrieved 22 July 2023 – via YouTube.
- ^ Biswas, Joel (28 December 2023). "The POW Best Albums of 2023". Passion of the Weiss. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
- ^ "Stings - Kamaal Williams". 27 September 2023. Retrieved 28 September 2023 – via Spotify.
- ^ "Stings by Kamaal Williams". 27 September 2023. Retrieved 28 September 2023 – via Apple Music.