Michael Kiwanuka – Kiwanuka

I ordered this record, when it was just released and sold it immediatly after one listening session. As others mentioned - the sound is awful and totally compressed. But it's not the fail of the vinyl medium or the pressing plant. It's the mixing and mastering, that there's so much compression. Loudness war at it's best. Given the fact that Inflo produces also well mastered records (Sault, Cleo Sol), I cannot understand, why this recording got the full compression process. Maybee it works for cellphone speakers, but even on a mediocre vinyl chain this sound is a no go. Perhaps it's the record company, that wanted the album to pump like hard.
There's no reason to buy this album on vinyl or CD, because the spotify stream doesn't sound differently.

I had to put on another record just to make sure my cart wasn't ruined the sound was so mad it had me thanking something with my setup was wrong

Does anyone else have clicking on ‘Hero’? Tried 2 separate copies and both have issue at a similar place and slightly warped second discs.

It’s not the pressing, it’s the recording. The cd is also awful. Real shame. I want to like this record, but don’t play it because of the compressed sound.

wow... worst sounding press in my entire collection. Amazing album, but the pressing is atrocious. Everything is just sooooo compressed. Im not sure how this is even possible, it sounds lofi in the worst possible way. If you're considering buying this press don't do it, purchase a different press instead. This is just terrible.

I can only agree with the previous comments. This pressing puts the music and everyone involved to shame.
One of the worst sounding LPs in my whole collection. And I don’t mean noise or crackles, I mean sound quality. Somewhere between a 96kbps radio stream and an overblown TV ad. No dynamics, no groove, no warmth. Just loudness, compression, tin-can like coldness and distortion.

Please reissue a vinyl remaster and stop selling this.

Don't know how they were able to go ahead with this pressing - it's awful. Unlistenable to in parts. Michael Kiwanuka is one of the master songwriters of his generation and this is all the more reason why it's unfathomable as to how the record company allows this substandard product to be released. Does no-one listen to the product before it goes on shelves?!

Dangermouse and Inflo have done a lovely job producing this album, using their skills in making all of the songs sound very nice to listen to, indeed. It is just a shame that the pressing itself, does not do them justice. There is just too much compression!! Optimal Media GmbH should hang their heads in shame, for such a poor quality pressing, and apologize to Dangermouse, Inflo and of course to Michael Kiwanuka by buying them a nice present each, perhaps a towel set in the colour of their choosing.

Does anyone know how many copies of this version were pressed?