Raven (Kelela album) explained

Raven
Type:studio
Artist:Kelela
Cover:Kelela - Raven.jpg
Recorded:2020–22
Released:February 10, 2023
Length:62:33
Label:Warp
Prev Title:Take Me a_Part, the Remixes
Prev Year:2018
Next Title:Rave:n, the Remixes
Next Year:2024

Raven is the second studio album by American singer and songwriter Kelela. It was released on February 10, 2023, via Warp Records. It comes six years after the release of the singer-songwriter's debut album, Take Me Apart, which was lauded by critics as one of the best albums of 2017.[1] [2] [3] A remix album, titled Rave:N, the Remixes, was released on February 9, 2024.[4] In a press release, Kelela said Raven began as a reaction to feeling alone as a Black femme working within dance music, and described the album as an affirmation of that perspective.[5] The album was supported by the singles "Washed Away",[6] "Happy Ending",[7] "On the Run",[8] "Contact", and "Enough for Love".

Critical reception

Upon release, Raven received widespread acclaim from music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 86, based on 18 critical reviews, indicating "universal acclaim". Aggregating 20 critic scores, AnyDecentMusic? rated Raven an 8.0 out of 10.

Reviewing the album for AllMusic, Andy Kellman described the album as a series of "(constant) if fluid oscillations between diaphanous ballads, pulsing slow jams, and modern street soul bangers . . . suited for the greater number of songs based in relationships."

Joey Levenson at NME compared it to Kelela's debut, saying it "makes for a frequently breathtaking companion to Take Me Apart," and that in a "debut album which was all about breaking down, Raven reminds us of what it means to be put back together".

Pitchfork designated the album "Best New Music", with Eric Torres calling it a "rapturous" and "masterful display of tension and release, centering queer Black womanhood through blasts of heated dance music and ambient comedowns".

Year-end lists

Critic/Publication! scope="col" class="unsortable"
ListRank
Resident AdvisorThe Best Albums of 2023
ConsequenceThe 50 Best Albums of 2023
The Line of Best FitThe Best Albums of 2023
PasteThe 50 Best Albums of 2023
PitchforkThe 50 Best Albums of 2023
Rolling StoneThe 100 Best Albums of 2023
StereogumThe 50 Best Albums of 2023

Track listing

All tracks written by Kelela, except "Closure", written by Kelela & Rahrah Gabor. All tracks arranged by Kelela. Additional lyricists are listed.

Notes

Personnel

Charts

Chart (2023)! scope="col"
Peak
position
US Top Album Sales (Billboard)[9] 47

RAVE:N, The Remixes

RAVE:N, The Remixes
Type:remix
Artist:Kelela
Released:February 9, 2024
Length:81:39
Label:Warp
Prev Title:Raven
Prev Year:2023

Background and release

On October 20, 2023, Kelela announced a remix album to Raven titled RAVE:N, The Remixes, alongside the album's lead single, "Contact (Karen Nyame KG Remix)."[10] [11] On December 6, 2023, she released the album's second single "Closure (Flexulant x BAMBII Remix), featuring Rahrah Gabor + Brazy, alongside the tracklist.[12] [13] On December 27, 2023, she released "Happy Ending (A.G Remix)", the album's third single.[14] [15] On January 24, 2024, she released the album's fourth single, "Holier (JD. REID Remix)", which featured rapper/singer and DJ Shygirl.[16] [17]

Track listing

All tracks written by Kelela Mizanekristos. All tracks arranged by Kelela. Additional lyricists are listed.

Critical reception

Writing for Pitchfork, Harry Tafoya praised the album's production writing: "RAVE:N bears the distinction of being the most kinetic Kelela release in a very long time." Kiana Mickles's review for Resident Advisor concludes: "It pulls out all the stops—freshly recorded vocals, relevant contributors and a perfect song for every hour of the night."[18]

Release history

Release dates and format(s) for Raven!Region!Date!Format(s)!Label!Ref.
VariousFebruary 10, 2023Warp[19]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Dummy . The 10 Best Albums of 2017 . 2022-11-18 . DummyMag . en-US.
  2. Web site: December 12, 2017 . The 50 Best Albums of 2017 – Page 5 . 2022-11-18 . . en.
  3. Billboard Staff . 2017-12-12 . Billboard's 50 Best Albums of 2017: Critics' Picks . . en-US . 2022-11-18.
  4. Web site: D-Money . 2023-12-07 . Kelela Gets 'Closure' With A Remix From Flexulant & BAMBII As She Readies 'RAVE:N, The Remixes' . 2023-12-07 . SoulBounce . en-US.
  5. Conteh . Mankaprr . 2022-11-15 . Kelela Announces Her Second Album 'Raven': It's 'My First Breath Taken in the Dark' . 2022-11-18 . . en-US.
  6. Web site: Gallagher . Alex . 2022-09-14 . Kelela returns with first new song in five years, 'Washed Away' . 2022-11-18 . . en-AU.
  7. Web site: Kelela releases new rave-influenced track 'Happy Ending' . 2022-11-18 . Mixmag.
  8. Web site: 2022-11-15 . Kelela Shares New Song "On the Run": Listen . 2022-11-18 . . en.
  9. Top Album Sales: Week of February 25, 2023. Billboard. February 24, 2023.
  10. Web site: Mahadevan . Tara . Kelela Announces 'Rave:N, the Remixes' Album, Shares "Contact (Karen Nyame KG Remix)" . 2024-02-13 . . en-us.
  11. Web site: Hussey. Allison. 2023-10-21 . Kelela Shares Song From New Remix Album . 2024-02-13 . . en-US.
  12. Web site: Renshaw. David. Kelela's RAVE:N, The Remixes to feature Shygirl, Yaeji, Liv.e, and more . 2024-02-13 . . en.
  13. Web site: Aubrey . Elizabeth . 2023-12-07 . Kelela shares full tracklist for 'RAVE:N, The Remixes Album' . 2024-02-13 . . en-GB.
  14. Web site: Murray . Robin . 2023-12-28 . Kelela Shares 'Happy Ending' (A.G Remix) News . 2024-02-13 . . en-GB.
  15. Web site: 2024-01-18 . Kelela Takes Tokyo By Quiet Force In The Visual Vignette For 'Happy Ending (A.G Remix)' . 2024-02-13 . . en-US.
  16. Web site: 2024-01-29 . Kelela releases JD. REID remix of 'Holier' featuring Shygirl: Watch the video . 2024-02-13 . DJ Mag. en.
  17. Web site: 2024-02-02 . Kelela Offers An Even 'Holier' Experience With A Shygirl-Featuring Remix From JD. REID . 2024-02-13 . SoulBounce . en-US.
  18. Web site: Kelela - RAVE:N, The Remixes · Album Review ⟋ RA . 2024-02-21 . Resident Advisor . en.
  19. Web site: Kelela. 10 February 2023 . 19 February 2023.