Raven (Kelela album)

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Raven
Studio album by
Kelela
ReleasedFebruary 10, 2023
Recorded2020–22
Genre
Length62:33
LabelWarp
Producer
  • Kelela
  • Asmara
  • Yo van Lenz
  • LSDXOXO
  • Bambii
  • Florian TM Zeisig
  • Brandon Peralta
  • Kaytranada
  • Khalí Carela
  • AceMo
  • Fauzia
  • Paris Strother
  • Badsista
  • Mocky
Kelela chronology
Take Me a_Part, the Remixes
(2018) 		Raven
(2023) 		Rave:n, the Remixes
(2024)
Singles from Raven
  1. "Washed Away"
    Released: September 13, 2022
  2. "Happy Ending"
    Released: October 19, 2022
  3. "On the Run"
    Released: November 15, 2022
  4. "Contact"
    Released: January 17, 2023
  5. "Enough for Love"
    Released: February 7, 2023

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 Kelela'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 describes the album as an affirmation of that perspective.[5] Raven was supported by the singles "Washed Away",[6] "Happy Ending",[7] "On the Run",[8] "Contact", and "Enough for Love".

Critical reception[edit]

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
AnyDecentMusic?8.0/10[9]
Metacritic86/100[10]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[11]
Clash8/10[12]
DIY[13]
Exclaim!8/10[14]
The Guardian[15]
NME[16]
Pitchfork8.4/10[17]
The Telegraph[18]

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".[10] Aggregating 20 critic scores, AnyDecentMusic? rated Raven an 8.0 out of 10.[9]

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 are just as suited for the greater number of songs based in relationships."[11]

Joey Levenson at NME compared it to Kelela's debut, saying it "makes for a frequently breathtaking companion to Take Me Apart," and in a "debut album which was all about breaking down, Raven reminds us of what it means to be put back together".[16]

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".[17]

Year-end lists[edit]

Select year-end rankings of Raven
Critic/Publication List Rank Ref.
Consequence The 50 Best Albums of 2023
13
[19]
The Line of Best Fit The Best Albums of 2023
17
[20]
Paste The 50 Best Albums of 2023
16
[21]
Pitchfork The 50 Best Albums of 2023
17
[22]
Rolling Stone The 100 Best Albums of 2023
83
[23]
Stereogum The 50 Best Albums of 2023
26
[24]

Track listing[edit]

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

Raven track listing
No.TitleLyricsProducer(s)Length
1."Washed Away"Janiva EllisYo van Lenz3:36
2."Happy Ending" 
4:08
3."Let it Go"Ellis
  • van Lenz
  • Florian TM Zeisig
  • Kelela
  • Asmara[a]
  • Bambii[a]
4:22
4."On the Run"
4:52
5."Missed Call"
  • LSDXOXO
  • Bambii[a]
  • Brandon Peralta[a]
3:51
6."Closure" 
  • LSDXOXO
  • Bambii[a]
3:29
7."Contact"Asmara
  • LSDXOXO
  • Asmara
  • Peralta[a]
  • Bambii[a]
4:00
8."Fooley"Ellis
  • Khalí Carela
  • Bambii[a]
  • Peralta[a]
3:34
9."Holier" 
  • van Lenz
  • Zeisig
  • Khalí Carela[a]
4:14
10."Raven" 
  • AceMo
  • Fauzia
  • Kelela
  • Asmara[a]
4:36
11."Bruises" 
4:15
12."Sorbet" 
  • van Lenz
  • Kelela
  • Paris Strother
  • Bambii
  • Peralta[a]
5:29
13."Divorce"
  • van Lenz
  • Zeisig
3:21
14."Enough for Love"Ellis
4:25
15."Far Away" van Lenz4:21
Total length:62:33

Notes

  • ^[a] signifies an additional producer.

Personnel[edit]

  • Kelela – vocals, creative direction
  • Dave Kutch – mastering
  • Chris Tabron – mixing
  • Brandon Peralta – mix engineering
  • Kari Estes – mixing assistance
  • Mischa Notcutt – creative direction
  • Kim Cousee – layout, design
  • Mario Horne – layout, design
  • Alessandro Belliero – artwork
  • Denis Olgac – artwork
  • Hendrik Schneider – artwork

Charts[edit]

Chart performance for Raven
Chart (2023) Peak
position
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[25] 168
Scottish Albums (OCC)[26] 91
UK Album Downloads (OCC)[27] 22
UK Independent Albums (OCC)[28] 18
US Top Album Sales (Billboard)[29] 47

RAVE:N, The Remixes[edit]

RAVE:N, The Remixes
Remix album by
Kelela
ReleasedFebruary 9, 2024
Length81:39
LabelWarp
Kelela chronology
Raven
(2023) 		RAVE:N, The Remixes
(2024)
Singles from RAVE:N, The Remixes
  1. "Contact (Karen Nyame KG Remix)"
    Released: October 20, 2023
  2. "Closure (Flexulant x BAMBII Remix)"
    Released: December 6, 2023
  3. "Happy Ending (A.G Remix)"
    Released: December 27, 2023
  4. "Holier (JD. REID Remix)"
    Released: January 24, 2024

Background and release[edit]

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)."[30][31] On December 6, 2023, she released the album's second single "Closure (Flexulant x BAMBII Remix), featuring Rahrah Gabor + Brazy, alongside the tracklist.[32][33] On December 27, 2023, she released "Happy Ending (A.G Remix)", the album's third single.[34][35] On January 24, 2024, she released the album's fourth single, "Holier (JD. REID Remix)", which featured rapper/singer and DJ Shygirl.[36][37]

Track listing[edit]

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

RAVE:N, The Remixes track listing
No.TitleLyricsProducer(s)Length
1."Raven" (Agazero Remix featuring BbyMutha)Brittnee Moore
  • Agazero
  • AceMo
  • Fauzia
  • Asmara
4:58
2."Contact" (Karen Nyame KG Remix)Asmara
4:27
3."Closure" (Flexulant x BAMBII Remix featuring Rahrah Gabor & Brazy)
  • Gabor
  • brazy
  • Lsdxoxo
  • Flexulant
  • BAMBII
4:46
4."Holier" (JD. REID Remix featuring Shygirl)Blane Muise
  • JD. REID
  • Yo van Lenz
  • Florian TM Zeisig
  • Khalí Carela
3:35
5."Bruises" (SUCIA! Remix) 
  • Lsdxoxo
  • Asmara
  • BAMBII
  • SUCIA!
3:32
6."Washed Away" (Ethereal Remix featuring Liv.e)Hailee Olivia Williams
3:57
7."Far Away" (DJ Swisha Remix) 
  • DJ Swisha
  • van Lenz
3:47
8."Raven" (TYGAPAW Remix featuring Rochelle Jordan)Jordan
  • TYGAPAW
  • AceMo
  • Fauzia
  • Kelela
4:26
9."Sorbet" (LSDXOXO Remix) 
  • Kelela
  • LSDXOXO
  • van Lenz
  • Paris Strother
  • BAMBII
  • Peralta
4:31
10."Divorce" (DJ Manny Remix)
  • DJ Manny
  • van Lenz
  • Zeisig
4:36
11."Fooley" (LEECH Ambient Queen Remix)Ellis
  • LEECH
  • Nightfeelings
  • Khalí
  • BAMBII
  • Peralta
4:18
12."Missed Call" (KYRUH Remix)
  • LSDXOXO
  • Asmara
  • LSDXOXO
  • KYRUH
  • BAMBII
  • Peralta
3:36
13."Happy Ending" (A.G Remix) 
  • A.G
  • BAMBII
  • Lsdxoxo
3:15
14."Let It Go" (NGUZUNGUZU x DJ GAY-Z Remix)Ellis
  • Kelela
  • NGUZUNGUZU
  • DJ GAY-Z
  • van Lenz
  • BAMBII
  • Zeisig
  • Asmara
5:44
15."On the Run" (River Moon Remix featuring ThugPop)
  • Ellis
  • Christen Mooney
3:27
16."Enough For Love" (Tayhana Remix)Ellis
3:59
17."Enough For Love" (Yaeji heart+beat Remix)Ellis
  • Yaeji
  • Zeisig
  • van Lenz
  • BAMBII
  • BADSISTA
  • Asmara
  • Mocky
2:29
18."Divorce" (Loraine James Remix)
  • Ellis
  • Muise
3:53
19."Far Away" (DJ LHC Remix) 
  • van Lenz
  • DJ LHC
2:56
20."Far Away" (SUUTOO His Eye Is On the Raven Remix featuring Ms. Carrie Stacks)Ms. Carrie Stacks
  • van Lenz
  • SUUTOO
5:27
Total length:81:39

Critical reception[edit]

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Pitchfork7.8/10[38]

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."[38] 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."[39]

Release history[edit]

Release dates and format(s) for Raven
Region Date Format(s) Label Ref.
Various February 10, 2023
Warp [40]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Dummy. "The 10 Best Albums of 2017". DummyMag. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  2. ^ "The 50 Best Albums of 2017 – Page 5". Pitchfork. December 12, 2017. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  3. ^ Billboard Staff (December 12, 2017). "Billboard's 50 Best Albums of 2017: Critics' Picks". Billboard. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  4. ^ D-Money (December 7, 2023). "Kelela Gets 'Closure' With A Remix From Flexulant & BAMBII As She Readies 'RAVE:N, The Remixes'". SoulBounce. Retrieved December 7, 2023.
  5. ^ Conteh, Mankaprr (November 15, 2022). "Kelela Announces Her Second Album 'Raven': It's 'My First Breath Taken in the Dark'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  6. ^ Gallagher, Alex (September 14, 2022). "Kelela returns with first new song in five years, 'Washed Away'". NME. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  7. ^ "Kelela releases new rave-influenced track 'Happy Ending'". Mixmag. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  8. ^ "Kelela Shares New Song "On the Run": Listen". Stereogum. November 15, 2022. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  9. ^ a b "Raven by Kelela reviews". AnyDecentMusic?. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
  10. ^ a b "Raven by Kelela Reviews and Tracks". Metacritic. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
  11. ^ a b Kellman, Andy. "'Raven' – Kelela". AllMusic. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  12. ^ Hussain, Shahzaib (February 10, 2023). "Kelela – Raven'". Clash. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  13. ^ Robinson, Otis (February 10, 2023). "Kelela – Raven". DIY. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  14. ^ Harmony, A. (February 17, 2023). "Kelela Takes Flight on the Stunning 'Raven'". Exclaim!. Retrieved February 27, 2023.
  15. ^ Empire, Kitty (February 12, 2023). "Kelela: Raven review – between the dancefloor and the bedroom". The Guardian. Archived from the original on March 20, 2023. Retrieved February 12, 2023.
  16. ^ a b Levenson, Joey (February 7, 2023). "Kelela – 'Raven' review: the innovative sound of an artist ready to start anew". NME. Retrieved February 11, 2023.
  17. ^ a b Torres, Eric (February 13, 2023). "Kelela: Raven Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved February 13, 2023.
  18. ^ Woods, Cat (February 10, 2023). "Kelela, Raven". The Telegraph. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  19. ^ Noor, S. (December 4, 2023). "The 50 Best Albums of 2023 Ranked". Consequence. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
  20. ^ Franzini, Sam (December 4, 2023). "The Best Albums of 2023 Ranked". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
  21. ^ Chodzin, Devin (November 27, 2023). "The 50 Best Albums of 2023". Exclaim!. Retrieved December 7, 2023.
  22. ^ Haile, Heven (December 5, 2023). "The 50 Best Albums of 2023". Pitchfork. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  23. ^ "The 100 Best Albums of 2023". Rolling Stone. November 30, 2023. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
  24. ^ Rettig, James (December 5, 2023). "The 50 Best Albums of 2023". Stereogum. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
  25. ^ "Ultratop.be – Kelela – Raven" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
  26. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 18, 2023.
  27. ^ "Official Album Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 18, 2023.
  28. ^ "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 18, 2023.
  29. ^ "Top Album Sales: Week of February 25, 2023". Billboard. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
  30. ^ Mahadevan, Tara. "Kelela Announces 'Rave:N, the Remixes' Album, Shares "Contact (Karen Nyame KG Remix)"". Complex. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  31. ^ Hussey, Allison (October 21, 2023). "Kelela Shares Song From New Remix Album". Pitchfork. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  32. ^ Renshaw, David. "Kelela's RAVE:N, The Remixes to feature Shygirl, Yaeji, Liv.e, and more". The Fader. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  33. ^ Aubrey, Elizabeth (December 7, 2023). "Kelela shares full tracklist for 'RAVE:N, The Remixes Album'". NME. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  34. ^ Murray, Robin (December 28, 2023). "Kelela Shares 'Happy Ending' (A.G Remix) | News". Clash Magazine. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  35. ^ "Kelela Takes Tokyo By Quiet Force In The Visual Vignette For 'Happy Ending (A.G Remix)'". Soul Bounce. January 18, 2024. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  36. ^ "Kelela releases JD. REID remix of 'Holier' featuring Shygirl: Watch the video". DJ Mag. January 29, 2024. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  37. ^ "Kelela Offers An Even 'Holier' Experience With A Shygirl-Featuring Remix From JD. REID". SoulBounce. February 2, 2024. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  38. ^ a b Tafoya, Harry. "Kelela: RAVE:N, the Remixes". Pitchfork. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
  39. ^ "Kelela - RAVE:N, The Remixes · Album Review ⟋ RA". Resident Advisor. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
  40. ^ "Kelela". February 10, 2023. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
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