Michael Kiwanuka - Always Waiting May 2026

Produced by Paul Butler on the Isle of Wight, "Always Waiting" captures the "breezy, quietly strummed charm" that first introduced Kiwanuka to the world. While his later work with Danger Mouse and Inflo explored psychedelic and expansive soundscapes, this track is intimate and sparse, centered on Kiwanuka's rich, expressive voice and acoustic guitar.

The Patient Soul of Michael Kiwanuka: A Deep Dive into "Always Waiting" MICHAEL KIWANUKA - Always Waiting

Michael Kiwanuka – Always Waiting (2012) | Track profile | Dork Produced by Paul Butler on the Isle of

The song reflects his early influences, blending the stripped-back honesty of Bill Withers with the melodic warmth of Otis Redding and Cat Stevens. Lyrical Themes: Longing and Persistence Lyrical Themes: Longing and Persistence Released as a

Released as a centerpiece of his Mercury Prize-nominated debut album Home Again (2012), "Always Waiting" remains one of the most defining examples of Michael Kiwanuka’s "acoustic, folk-soul" sound. The track serves as a bridge between the raw, vulnerable storytelling of folk and the rhythmic, spiritual depth of 1960s and 70s soul. A Sound Rooted in Heritage and Humility

At its core, "Always Waiting" is a song about yearning and the quiet endurance required to reach one's "daytime". The lyrics balance a sense of burden with a flicker of optimism: