Stings | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | 27 September 2023 | |||
Recorded | 2022 | |||
Label | Black Focus | |||
Producer | ||||
Kamaal Williams chronology | ||||
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Stings is the third studio album by English musician Kamaal Williams, released on 27 September 2023 under Black Focus Records.[1][2]
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]
Passion of the Weiss ranked the album at number 31 in its Best Albums of 2023 list.[7]
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]