Home / Arts and Entertainment / Kelela's 'Raven': Dance Music Meets Self-Care
Kelela's 'Raven': Dance Music Meets Self-Care
10 Aug
Summary
- Album 'Raven' centers queer Black womanhood with dance and ambient music.
- Kelela navigated writer's block and reclaimed privacy before releasing album.
- Album features collaborations with electronic producers and ambient artists.
Kelela's highly anticipated second album, 'Raven,' has arrived six years after her groundbreaking debut, 'Take Me Apart.' This new work is a masterful exploration of tension and release, focusing on queer Black womanhood through a dynamic mix of energetic dance music and calming ambient tracks.
During her hiatus, Kelela navigated significant personal and creative challenges, including writer's block and a need to reclaim her privacy and establish boundaries. The global events of 2020 further sharpened her artistic intent, leading her to reflect deeply on the experiences of Black women and marginalized communities.
'Raven' showcases a vibrant sonic palette, with contributions from electronic producers like Asmara, LSDXOXO, Kaytranada, and Bambii. The album incorporates diverse rhythms from drum'n'bass to Baltimore club, presenting a continuous mix that evokes a night out in an intimate club.
Complementing the dance-oriented tracks, ambient artists OCA, comprising Yo van Lenz and Florian T M Zeisig, helped craft moments of introspection. Tracks like 'Divorce' and 'Holier' offer peaceful vocal performances and express themes of self-reflection and community grounding.
