Michael Kiwanuka has revealed that he is recovering from a stroke that caused a severe brain injury, sharing the news as he prepares to release his fifth album, FUDGE.

In a statement posted this week, Kiwanuka said the stroke occurred several months ago after high blood pressure caused bleeding in his brain. The 39-year-old singer is currently undergoing rehabilitation and said there is no timeline for his return to the stage.

“I’m not sure when I’ll be able to be back out on the road or what that will look like,” he wrote. “The brain injury I suffered was quite severe so there’s a lot of rehab to be done.”

The diagnosis also explains Kiwanuka’s recent absence from the road. He pulled out of several festival appearances and North American dates supporting Mumford & Sons while dealing with what his team previously described as an ongoing illness. His remaining live commitments are now on hold indefinitely.

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Kiwanuka said he feels he is making progress, though he described recovery as a “long, tough journey.” He also thanked the National Health Service staff and other medical professionals involved in his care.

Before those health problems began, Kiwanuka had already finished FUDGE, due October 23 via Polydor. The 12-track album marks his first time producing one of his records himself in 13 years. He began writing it around the same period as 2024’s Small Changes, but approached the new material without longtime collaborators Danger Mouse and Inflo.

Kiwanuka said making the album required him to work more instinctively and move away from the expectations surrounding his previous records.

For now, releasing FUDGE gives Kiwanuka finished music to share while his attention remains on recovery.

“It has been a difficult few months,” he wrote, “but it feels like I’m on my way there now.”