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

Background

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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

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

Track listing

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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

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  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.