As we approach closer to her upcoming release, RAVE:N, The Remixes album Kelela continues to prove she is a visionary pushing her own capacity with her newest visual experience. Through her lens, we get a chance to witness her craft as only she does while Kellea explores not just her artistry but the world. Her latest single that dropped at the end of last year, from The Remixes album- “Happy Ending (A.G Remix)” has quickly made global impact into the new year already dominating dancefloors. Now, she returns with a sultry vignette in the streets of Tokyo directed by Yasser Abubeker.
Kelela has something new to say. Or rather, new ways to express what people really think, but too often, dare not say. In February 2023’s RAVEN, the singer-songwriter delivered 15 new songs and imploring listeners to go even deeper into themselves. Vulnerability and radical surrender are the tentpoles of love, romantic or otherwise. Kelela knows this well and is ready to further articulate this to her eager audience.
The process of crafting RAVEN has been deeply intentional, both sonically and in terms of the meaning being produced. On the album, the singer oscillates between the improvisational aspect of jazz, the pulsing tempo of dance/electronic music and the openness of traditional R&B. Many of the album’s tracks bleed into each other, creating a continuous mix that flows through the different terrains of dance music. From the hazy atmospherics of “Fooley” to the playful breakbeats of “Happy Ending,” Kelela is adept and commanding in each environment.
RAVEN is executive produced by Kelela and co-executive produced by Asmara. Kelela also wrote and arranged all of the album’s tracks. Yo Van Lenz and Florian T M Zeisig (members of ambient duo OCA) and LSDXOXO serve as the main producers throughout the album, with additional production from Bambii.
