Stings (album) explained

Stings
Type:	studio
Artist:	Kamaal Williams
Cover:	Kamaalwilliamsstings.png
Border:	yes
Recorded:	2022
Label:	Black Focus
Prev Title:	Wu Hen
Prev Year:	2020

Stings is the third studio album by English musician Kamaal Williams, released on 27 September 2023 under Black Focus Records.^[1]

Background

According to Williams, Stings "integrate[s] more oriental imagery and add[s] more melodic elements."^[2] 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.^[3]

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.

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."

Reception

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

Track listing

Tracks 1-10 and 11-13 are split into separate discs in Spotify and Apple Music.^{[8] [9]}

Notes and References

1. Web site: Staff. . Kamaal Williams to Release Third Solo Album . . 22 July 2023 . 11 July 2023.
2. Web site: Lee . Nicole . 台英混血音樂家Kamaal Williams吳罕帶你進入爵士樂的新世代 . . 1 February 2023 . zh-Hant-TW . 31 January 2023.
3. Web site: Slingerland . Calum . Kamaal Williams Details New Album 'Stings,' Shares New Song 'PKKNO' . . 22 July 2023.
4. Web site: Murray . Robin . Kamaal Williams Announces New Album 'Stings'. Clash. 11 July 2023 . 11 July 2023.
5. Web site: Shlensky . Carolyn . A Few Minutes with Kamaal Williams . . 3 July 2023 . 30 May 2023.
6. Web site: Kamaal Williams Magnolia (Live Piano Performance at the Roland Store) . YouTube. 22 July 2023 . en.
7. Web site: Biswas . Joel . The POW Best Albums of 2023 . Passion of the Weiss . 25 January 2024 . 28 December 2023.
8. Web site: Stings - Kamaal Williams . 28 September 2023 . en . 27 September 2023. Spotify.
9. Web site: Stings by Kamaal Williams . 28 September 2023 . Apple Music. 27 September 2023.