Raven Tracklist
Raven is Kelela’s second studio album, the highly awaited follow up to her 2017 debut Take Me Apart. Following her debut, which “carved new futures for Black electronic music”, Raven explores the hiatus she took in the years since, focussing on themes of separation and return, introspection and relationships, renewal and rebirth, with an emphasis on electronic dance music and its Black and queer origins.
After a five-year hiatus since Take Me Apart, Kelela returned in September 2022 with the atmospheric “Washed Away”, which she described as an “ambient heart-check.” Later in October, Kelela released the second single “Happy Ending” with a music video she co-directed with Alima Lee celebrating the Black rave culture in New York. The album was officially announced with “On The Run” in November.
“Raven” Q&A
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What has Kelela said about the album?
I started this processs from the feeling of the isolation and alienation I’ve always had as a black femme in dance music, despite it’s black origins. Raven is my first breath taken in the dark, an afirmation of black femme perspective in the most of systemic erasure and the sound of our vulnerability turned to power. This one’s for y'all.
I also want to express my deep gratitude to all the people in my life who supported me while making this album, especially in my most difficult moments.
– Kelela via press release
Album Credits
Album Credits
