Review: Kelela :: Raven

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It might be a bit early to say best album of the year, but Kelela’s long-awaited second record RAVEN is already a contender for the R’n’B crown. Kelela’s demure, passionate mix of electronic soul and alternative R’n’B caused a stir in 2017 and raised expectations, but the artist pulled out, disappointed in the music industry. Her return is triumphant, the eponymous raven serves as a symbol for walking between different worlds, which Kelela calls pop and underground.

? Buy RAVEN at Amazon.de

Like the proud cousin of FKA Twigs and Beyoncé, Kelela strides, or rather levitates, through a spartanly arranged track like “Fooley,” built of two-step beats and reverb. In the minimalist-retro-soul “On The Run” her vocals sound like those of the grand dames from En Vogue, an erotically charged atmosphere is created by a subtle Marvin Gaye sample plus a telephone ringing in the background – less is more.

Paradoxically, the moments when Kelela’s singing isn’t present can be very intense. In their absence, the specific mix of sensuous ballads and atmospheric drum’n’bass beats comes to the fore. But it’s even better when her voice rings out: “Bruises” seems to vibrate with the night-dark tension, Kelela sings as if from a slowly cruising car – great. Follow the shiny raven.

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