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Kelela’s ‘Raven’ explores the delicate space between dance music, pop, and R&B
‘Raven’ is out now with contributions from OCA, LSDXOXO, Junglepussy, Bambii, Asmara, and KAYTRANADA.
“When the world needed her most… she vanished.” Last Friday, after a six year long hiatus, Kelela returned with her 2nd full-length album Raven on beloved independent electronic label Warp Records. Many of us at In Sheep’s Clothing have been big fans of the LA-based Ethiopian American singer ever since she first arrived on the scene via experimental club imprints Fade to Mind and Night Slugs. It’s been almost ten years since that incredible debut mixtape Cut 4 Me, and the moment seems just right for the singer to return with another big leap forward.
Kelela’s music has always explored the space between dance music, R&B, and pop. Raven continues her track record of challenging genre lines by bringing together downtempo, breakbeats, dancehall, house, and bass music with more meditative, beatless tracks for a near perfect contemporary R&B album that’s equally listenable in a club or home setting. The 15 tracks flow smoothly into each other almost like an extended DJ mix, and we highly recommend listening to the album all the way through for the full effect.
Check out the singer’s recent performance of “Enough for Love” on Jimmy Fallon. The official music video was released earlier today:
Kelela explains the significance of the album title in a recent Rolling Stones interview:
“The raven is associated with loss and ill omen. This resonated because when you listen to the record, I imagine people would make the assessment that it’s dark, and maybe it’s kind of sad on some level. The raven also represents prophecy and insight, connecting the material world with the world of spirits. And I don’t know if I’m connecting the world of spirits with the material world, but I will say I am a translator of emotion.”
Listen to the album and check out one of our favorite early Kelela tracks below:
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