Performer Notes

Liner Note Author: Miguel.
Recording information: Blakeslee Recording Company, North Hollywood, CA; EastWest Studios, Los Angeles, CA; Instrument Zoo, Miami, FL; John Hill Studio, Venice, CA; Lust Studios, Vancouver, BC; Platinum Sound Recording Studio, NYC; Record Plant, Los Angeles, CA; Serenity West Studios, Los Angeles, CA; The Village Studios, Los Angeles, CA; Weekender Studios, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Photographer: Timothy Saccenti.
When Miguel lamented inequality and its manifestations on the closing track of Kaleidoscope Dream, it seemed forced, heartfelt as it was, like the singer was reaching to display some depth. It didn't help that the penultimate number was "Pussy Is Mine." After the sleazier Wildheart, his second Top Five album, human rights issues naturally fueled Miguel's writing to a greater extent, as heard on War & Leisure. Although direct references to various intensifying issues are saved for the sparse finale "Now" -- in which police brutality, immigration, polluted water, and inadequate disaster relief all get time -- the majority of these songs are at least loosely inspired by the distressed climate. Miguel sings of being a vigilante and rebel, of "terror on her mind," and Korean missiles. Some references to his own armament aren't metaphorical. Space made for not one but two of the six featured guests, Rick Ross and J. Cole, is filled with nods to Colin Kaepernick. And then there's the buzzing, clomping "City of Angels," drawn from the perspective of an unfaithful lover who was out of town, caught up in a fling, while his woman was victimized by a ruinous attack on Los Angeles. For all the conflict imagery, War & Leisure is often brightly colored, even upbeat. Best of all is "Pineapple Skies," a joyous tropical escape and a rare modern R&B love song that illustrates a blooming relationship pre-consummation ("I ain't kissed you yet"). Close to that is the ecstatic, delightfully off-center "Told You So," expressed with a similar sense of optimism ("I don't wanna control you, I'm gonna set you free"). Smut does remain in supply. "Caramelo Duro" churns and grinds like nothing else in Miguel's catalog. He wants to "fuck all night" in "Come Through and Chill," a song with other signs that it was written while his songwriting faculties were somewhat compromised ("Hello stranger, vape's been waiting/And just as I recall, that ass is still amazing"). In another lusty cut, he's some kind of polyamorous cult leader. It all goes down easy with undeniable charm and sinuous hooks to spare. That yearning howl is in full effect too. ~ Andy Kellman

Professional Reviews

Rolling Stone - 3.5 stars out of 5 -- "'Pineapple Skies' punctuates its bubbly synths with speaker-rattling bass hits....While 'Now' ends the LP with Miguel's voice slicing through clouds of guitar, as he reels off a list of social ills."

Spin - "Anchored to the electric guitars he strums here more often than ever, WAR & LEISURE is more than anything a valentine to untrammeled pleasures..."

Entertainment Weekly - "The charismatic 32-year-old is as sensual as ever on his lush fourth album, which continues his inspired fusion of genres ranging from R&B to rock to electronic music."

NME (Magazine) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "This new record is stuffed with killer hooks, bouncing rhythms and breezy production..."

Paste (magazine) - "[A]gain, he's going his own way....It does find the man in a brighter, breezier place, generally speaking."

Pitchfork (Website) - "He's weaved an album that's taut and economical, like a featherweight champion landing smoothly choreographed jabs in the form of powerfully raspy harmonies and tight, lusty blues runs."

Clash (Magazine) - "[A] retroactive visage of a summer-driven record, a carousal of breezy nostalgia -- think surf-rock flourishes, Marvin Gaye soul-funk and soft psychedelia."

Album: War & Leisure
#	Song Title		Time
1)	Criminal (Feat. Rick Ross)	More Info...	0:04
2)	Pineapple Skies	More Info...	0:04
3)	Sky Walker (Feat. Travis Scott)	More Info...	0:04
4)	Banana Clip	More Info...	0:03
5)	Wolf (Feat. Quin)	More Info...	0:03
6)	Harem	More Info...	0:03
7)	Told You So	More Info...	0:03
8)	City of Angels	More Info...	0:04
9)	Caramelo Duro (Feat. Kali Uchis)	More Info...	0:03
10)	Come Through and Chill (Feat. J. Cole & Salaam Remi)	More Info...	0:05
11)	Anointed	More Info...	0:04
12)	Now	More Info...	0:04

Album: War & Leisure
#	Song Title		Time
1)	Criminal (Feat. Rick Ross)	More Info...	0:04
2)	Pineapple Skies	More Info...	0:04
3)	Sky Walker (Feat. Travis Scott)	More Info...	0:04
4)	Banana Clip	More Info...	0:03
5)	Wolf (Feat. Quin)	More Info...	0:03
6)	Harem	More Info...	0:03
7)	Told You So	More Info...	0:03
8)	City of Angels	More Info...	0:04
9)	Caramelo Duro (Feat. Kali Uchis)	More Info...	0:03
10)	Come Through and Chill (Feat. J. Cole & Salaam Remi)	More Info...	0:05
11)	Anointed	More Info...	0:04
12)	Now	More Info...	0:04