Kelela Ends Hiatus with Emotive Album Raven

Written by Hannah Goldberg

Kelela is a contemporary R&B/progressive electronic music artist based in Los Angeles. She came into the scene in the early 2010s, gaining exposure through collaboration, and signed with the Warp Label where she released her debut album, Take Me Apart. After a long hiatus, Kelela returned in 2022 with her single “Washed Away” which appears as the title track of her latest album Raven. She has over 1 million monthly listeners on Spotify and has collaborated with names such as Bok Bok, Kindness, Future Brown, Clams Casino, Danny Brown, Solange, and Gorillaz. She recently made her debut on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. 

Raven kicks off with the first single “Washed Away” and sets the tone for an audibly aesthetic experience, toying with tension and serenity throughout. The entire project extends to just over an hour of cohesive musicality and emotion. Ranging from catchy percussive rhythms to eerily calm melodies, Kelela’s vocals blend with her unique production creating a solid foundation for her story. Kelela articulates her experiences through empowering lyrics and genuine vulnerability. “The hype will waver / I'm not nobody's pawn / Don't need no favors / It’s all good, I’ve moved on.”

Her title track “Raven” is a consistent flow of melancholic energy later breaking into a whirlwind of a dance track, effortlessly dropping into track 11, “Bruises.” The project has been featured in reputable publications such as Pitchfork, RollingStone, Vulture, and more. Described by Slant Magazine as “Beats for dance floors and bedrooms,” “Raven” breaks boundaries with Kelela’s approach to creating dance music. 

Kelela’s production crew indubitably solidifies the quality of the album. Yo Van Lenz, a Berlin based producer takes the production reins alongside Bambii, Asmara, and other accomplished musicians. Overall, this is an exciting return for Kelela, her team, and her fans.