In a refreshing return to her roots, Kelela has unveiled her latest album, *New Avatar*, which blends her signature electro-R&B sound with elements of indie rock and alternative music. Since its release on 10 July through Warp Records, the album stands as a testament to her evolution as an artist, marking a new chapter in a career that has been anything but conventional.
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Kelela, whose full name is Kelela Mizanekristos, reflects on the swift creation of *New Avatar*, emphasising how unexpected it was to produce this body of work in such a short time frame. The artist, acclaimed for her genre-defying style, had previously taken considerable breaks between projects, but following her 2023 album, *Raven*, and a series of live performances, she found herself collaborating closely with Oscar Scheller, a producer known for his work with rising stars like PinkPantheress and Lily Allen. The collaboration has allowed her to channel her ideas without the burdensome layers of overproduction that characterised her earlier albums.
“I’m trying to edit and be like, ‘Oh, let me just do one more take,’” Kelela reveals about her working dynamic with Scheller. “And he’s like, ‘It’s fine, babes.’ It’s so different from how I’ve worked in the past, and it was really exhilarating to do it that way.” This new approach has provided a refreshing shift in her creative process, allowing her to focus on spontaneity rather than perfection.
The album also serves as a reminiscence of Kelela’s beginnings as an “indie girl” in Washington, D.C. Raised by first-generation Ethiopian parents, she recalls writing her first song in 2010 and performing live for the first time as part of the band Dizzy Spells. Kelela describes how this period was crucial for her as she transitioned from being a consumer of music to becoming a creator. “It was very formative because I was coming from digesting a lot of jazz music and just existing in a whole other scene in the city,” she notes, conveying the liberation felt in an atmosphere that celebrated experimentation over perfection.
However, Kelela soon recognised the limitations of the indie space, which often favoured a specific demographic, mostly sidelining Black women. She sought to create music that reflected all facets of her identity, stating, “Nobody wants to hear you do some other s—. I wanted to sound like the future and not like a classic indie band.” The pursuit of this vision prompted her relocation to Los Angeles, where she connected with collaborators who would help her carve out a unique space in the music world.
As she moved through her career, producing projects like the mixtape *Cut 4 Me* and albums including *Take Me Apart* and *Raven*, Kelela has nurtured a devoted fanbase willing to follow her artistic evolution. Now, revisiting her indie roots with *New Avatar*, she reflects on the importance of weaving her past experiences into her current narrative. “I feel endlessly motivated to build the tapestry outside of me that I see on the inside of me,” she shares, indicating a newfound confidence in exploring her artistic breadth.
Kelela diverges from the mainstream trend of rapid music releases, instead choosing to develop her artistry at her own pace. Her fans appreciate not only the quality of her work but also the intention behind it. “I think that I have credibility because I’ve been like, ‘Come on, let’s go over here,’” she explains, illustrating her commitment to challenging genre norms and pushing the boundaries of contemporary music.
An inspiring figure in Kelela’s life is her friend Solange Knowles, whose multifaceted career in music and the arts mirrors Kelela’s own ambitions. Their friendship highlights a shared vision of amplifying Black artistry, with Kelela noting how it was the connection of their varied talents that drew them together. The influence of Knowles and others motivates Kelela to continually innovate while respecting the foundations laid by Black American musicians throughout history.
As she embarks on this exciting phase of her career in her mid-40s, Kelela acknowledges the unique challenges faced by women in the music industry. Having started her professional journey later than most, she once grappled with doubts about her potential longevity in the field. “I definitely felt behind,” she admits, yet her experiences have shaped a deep appreciation for her artistry. “I still feel so blessed and privileged to be able to do this for a living.”
With the release of *New Avatar*, Kelela is not only establishing her presence in contemporary music but is also inspiring a new wave of artists such as PinkPantheress and Fousheé, both of whom feature on her album. “They are trying to find places between things that have been established in a way that feels so expansive,” she observes, reflecting on the impact of the younger generation on her own creative processes.
Looking ahead, Kelela is gearing up for an upcoming tour that promises to showcase her dynamic sounds, seamlessly blending guitar elements with dance music. “I’m just very excited about doing these songs live,” she asserts, signifying a bright future as she integrates her rich experiences into her ever-evolving artistry. With *New Avatar*, Kelela truly steps into a revitalised artistic landscape, reaffirming her position as a significant voice in contemporary music.