Raven (Kelela album)

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 the singer-songwriter's debut album, Take Me Apart, which was lauded by critics as one of the best albums of 2017. A remix album, titled Rave:N, the Remixes, was released on February 9, 2024. In a press release, Kelela said Raven began as a reaction to feeling alone as a Black femme working within dance music, and described the album as an affirmation of that perspective. The album was supported by the singles "Washed Away", "Happy Ending", "On the Run", "Contact", and "Enough for Love".

Critical reception
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". Aggregating 20 critic scores, AnyDecentMusic? rated Raven an 8.0 out of 10.

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 . . . suited for the greater number of songs based in relationships."

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

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".

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

Notes
 * $undefined$ signifies an additional producer.

Personnel

 * 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

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

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

Critical reception
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." 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."