Kelela: New Avatar

Kelela is back with her third studio album. With “New Avatar,” everything Kelela has been working toward comes into focus. She began writing her first songs in the indie scene of Washington, D.C., before the club music and electronic production that shaped her early career took hold. With “New Avatar,” she comes full circle: R&B, underpinned by distorted guitar sounds, meets new intersections in dance music and culminates in a sound that draws on all the musical influences that have ever shaped her. The album also features collaborations with Pink Pantheress, A. K. Paul, and Fousheé. “This album finds solace in confrontation,” says Kelela. “I don’t want the music to distract from what’s really going on in the world; I want it to make sense in these crazy times and, at the same time, help people connect with the beauty and joy they’re also experiencing.” The album grapples with a world falling apart at the seams and with the clarity required for survival. At its core, “New Avatar” depicts a multifaceted experience, and although the outside world is present, it never weakens Kelela’s resolve.