Kelela has shared details of her third album, ‘new avatar’, along with the video for the LP’s latest single, ‘linknb’.
Due for release on 10th July via Warp Records, the new album looks back to Kelela’s roots in the D.C. indie scene before she switched to the futuristic, R&B-heavy sound she made her name on. Featuring appearances from A.K. Paul, PinkPantheress and Fousheé, ‘new avatar’ promises a sound built from aspects of indie, shoegaze and grunge, while still maintaining ties to her later experimental club and electronic sound.
Speaking on the album’s themes, Kelela shares: “This album finds solace in confronting. I don’t want the music to be a distraction from what’s really going on in the world; I want it to make sense in this crazy moment while helping people get in touch with the beauty and joy they’re also experiencing.”
‘linknb’ follows previously released track ‘idea 1’, which arrived in April. Oscar Scheller, who produced ‘idea 1’, is also credited on ‘linknb’. The new single continues in a similar vein to its predecessor with rousing R&B melodies and distorted guitars. A video, directed by Mischa Notcutt, has also been released. Watch that below.
‘new avatar’ Kelela’s first full-length release since last year’s ‘In The Blue Light’ live album, and her first studio LP since 2023’s ‘Raven’, which she followed up with a remix version, ‘RAVE:N’, the following year.