Raven (Kelela album)

Raven
Studio album by Kelela
Released	February 10, 2023
Recorded	2020–22
Genre	R&B ambient pop breakbeat 2-step
Length	62:33
Label	Warp
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
"Washed Away" Released: September 13, 2022 "Happy Ending" Released: October 19, 2022 "On the Run" Released: November 15, 2022 "Contact" Released: January 17, 2023 "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, six years after the release of the singer-songwriter's debut album Take Me Apart . ^{[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 described the album as an affirmation of that perspective. ^[5] The album was supported by the singles "Washed Away", ^[6] "Happy Ending", ^[7] "On the Run", ^[8] "Contact", and "Enough for Love".

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Aggregate scores
Source	Rating
AnyDecentMusic?	8.0/10 [9]
Metacritic	86/100 [10]
Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[11]
Clash	8/10 [12]
DIY	[13]
Exclaim!	8/10 [14]
The Guardian	[15]
NME	[16]
Pitchfork	8.4/10 [17]
The Telegraph	[18]

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 . . . 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 that 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

Select year-end rankings of Raven

Critic/Publication	List	Rank	Ref.
Resident Advisor	The Best Albums of 2023	1	[19]
Consequence	The 50 Best Albums of 2023	13	[20]
The Line of Best Fit	The Best Albums of 2023	17	[21]
Paste	The 50 Best Albums of 2023	16	[22]
Pitchfork	The 50 Best Albums of 2023	17	[23]
Rolling Stone	The 100 Best Albums of 2023	83	[24]
Stereogum	The 50 Best Albums of 2023	26	[25]

Track listing

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.	Title	Lyrics	Producer(s)	Length
1.	"Washed Away"	Janiva Ellis	Yo van Lenz	3:36
2.	"Happy Ending"		LSDXOXO Bambii [a]	4:08
3.	"Let it Go"	Ellis	van Lenz Florian TM Zeisig Kelela Asmara [a] Bambii [a]	4:22
4.	"On the Run"	Shayna McHayle Ellis	van Lenz Kelela Kaytranada Bambii Asmara [a]	4:52
5.	"Missed Call"	Asmara Raushaan Glasgow	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"		LSDXOXO Asmara [a] Bambii [a]	4:15
12.	"Sorbet"		van Lenz Kelela Paris Strother Bambii Peralta [a]	5:29
13.	"Divorce"	Blane Muise Ellis	van Lenz Zeisig	3:21
14.	"Enough for Love"	Ellis	van Lenz Zeisig Badsista Asmara [a] Mocky [a] Bambii [a]	4:25
15.	"Far Away"		van Lenz	4:21
Total length:				62:33

Notes

• ^{^[a]} 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

Charts

Chart performance for Raven

Chart (2023)	Peak position
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders) [26]	168
Scottish Albums (OCC) [27]	91
UK Album Downloads (OCC) [28]	22
UK Independent Albums (OCC) [29]	18
US Top Album Sales ( Billboard ) [30]	47

RAVE:N, The Remixes

RAVE:N, The Remixes
Remix album by Kelela
Released	February 9, 2024
Length	81:39
Label	Warp
Kelela chronology
Raven (2023) RAVE:N, The Remixes (2024) In the Blue Light (2025)
Singles from RAVE:N, The Remixes
"Contact (Karen Nyame KG Remix)" Released: October 20, 2023 "Closure (Flexulant x BAMBII Remix)" Released: December 6, 2023 "Happy Ending (A.G Remix)" Released: December 27, 2023 "Holier (JD. REID Remix)" Released: January 24, 2024

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)." ^{[31] [32]} On December 6, 2023, she released the album's second single "Closure (Flexulant x BAMBII Remix), featuring Rahrah Gabor + Brazy, alongside the tracklist. ^{[33] [34]} On December 27, 2023, she released "Happy Ending (A.G Remix)", the album's third single. ^{[35] [36]} On January 24, 2024, she released the album's fourth single, "Holier (JD. REID Remix)", which featured rapper/singer and DJ Shygirl. ^{[37] [38]}

Track listing

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

RAVE:N, The Remixes track listing

No.	Title	Lyrics	Producer(s)	Length
1.	"Raven" (Agazero Remix featuring BbyMutha)	Brittnee Moore	Agazero AceMo Fauzia Asmara	4:58
2.	"Contact" (Karen Nyame KG Remix)	Asmara	Lsdxoxo Brandon Peralta BAMBII Karen Nyame KG	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	Ethereal van Lenz	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)	Muise Janiva Ellis	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	Kelela River Moon Kaytranada van Lenz BAMBII Asmara	3:27
16.	"Enough For Love" (Tayhana Remix)	Ellis	Kelela Tayhana Zeisig van Lenz BAMBII BADSISTA Asmara Mocky	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	Zeisig van Lenz Loraine James	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

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Pitchfork	7.8/10 [39]

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." ^[39] 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." ^[40]

Release history

Release dates and format(s) for Raven

Region	Date	Format(s)	Label	Ref.
Various	February 10, 2023	vinyl CD streaming digital download	Warp	[41]

References

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. "Raven by Kelela reviews". AnyDecentMusic?. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
10. "Raven by Kelela Reviews and Tracks". Metacritic . Retrieved February 23, 2023.
11. 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. Levenson, Joey (February 7, 2023). "Kelela – 'Raven' review: the innovative sound of an artist ready to start anew". NME . Retrieved February 11, 2023.
17. 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 14, 2023). "The Best Albums of 2023". Resident Advisor . Retrieved June 3, 2024.
20. Noor, S. (December 4, 2023). "The 50 Best Albums of 2023 Ranked". Consequence . Retrieved December 15, 2023.
21. Franzini, Sam (December 4, 2023). "The Best Albums of 2023 Ranked". The Line of Best Fit . Retrieved December 4, 2023.
22. Chodzin, Devin (November 27, 2023). "The 50 Best Albums of 2023". Exclaim! . Retrieved December 7, 2023.
23. Haile, Heven (December 5, 2023). "The 50 Best Albums of 2023". Pitchfork . Retrieved December 6, 2023.
24. "The 100 Best Albums of 2023". Rolling Stone. November 30, 2023. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
25. Rettig, James (December 5, 2023). "The 50 Best Albums of 2023". Stereogum . Retrieved December 8, 2023.
26. "Ultratop.be – Kelela – Raven" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
27. "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 18, 2023.
28. "Official Album Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 18, 2023.
29. "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 18, 2023.
30. "Top Album Sales: Week of February 25, 2023". Billboard . Retrieved February 24, 2023.
31. Mahadevan, Tara. "Kelela Announces 'Rave:N, the Remixes' Album, Shares "Contact (Karen Nyame KG Remix)"". Complex . Retrieved February 13, 2024.
32. Hussey, Allison (October 21, 2023). "Kelela Shares Song From New Remix Album". Pitchfork . Retrieved February 13, 2024.
33. Renshaw, David. "Kelela's RAVE:N, The Remixes to feature Shygirl, Yaeji, Liv.e, and more". The Fader . Retrieved February 13, 2024.
34. Aubrey, Elizabeth (December 7, 2023). "Kelela shares full tracklist for 'RAVE:N, The Remixes Album'". NME . Retrieved February 13, 2024.
35. Murray, Robin (December 28, 2023). "Kelela Shares 'Happy Ending' (A.G Remix) | News". Clash Magazine . Retrieved February 13, 2024.
36. "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.
37. "Kelela releases JD. REID remix of 'Holier' featuring Shygirl: Watch the video". DJ Mag . January 29, 2024. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
38. "Kelela Offers An Even 'Holier' Experience With A Shygirl-Featuring Remix From JD. REID". SoulBounce. February 2, 2024. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
39. Tafoya, Harry. "Kelela: RAVE:N, the Remixes". Pitchfork . Retrieved February 21, 2024.
40. "Kelela - RAVE:N, The Remixes · Album Review ⟋ RA". Resident Advisor. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
41. "Kelela". February 10, 2023. Retrieved February 19, 2023.