Kelela Announces New Album 'New Avatar,' Drops Video for "Linknb"

Kelela, Photo by Neva Wireko

Kelela is gearing up to release her third album this summer. New Avatar, dropping on July 10, is a homage to her early days writing music in the D.C. indie scene, before her pivot to electronic-tinged R&B.

The full-length project promises a blend of shoegaze, grunge, R&B, and electronic music, featuring collaborations with prominent artists such as PinkPantheress, A. K. Paul, and Fousheé. To celebrate the announcement, the New York-based artist has released a Mischa Notcutt-directed music video for the album's single "Linknb," showcasing the city's landscape.

"This album finds solace in confronting," Kelela states. "I don’t want the music to be a distraction from what's really going on in the world; I want it to make sense in this crazy moment while helping people get in touch with the beauty and joy they’re also experiencing."

The announcement follows fan speculation after the singer wiped her Instagram in March. In April, she previewed her "new era" at an intimate SoHo screening of the album’s first single, "Idea 1."

Her last album, Raven, was released in 2023, followed by a remix album featuring electronic artists such as LSDXOXO, Tygapaw, and Shygirl.

New Avatar Tracklist:

01 Idea 1
02 Point Blank
03 Goin Down
04 Outta Time [feat. A.K. Paul]
05 Against Me
06 Crystalize
07 Retaliation Lullaby
08 Linknb
09 Don’t Piss Me Off
10 New Life Forms [feat. Fousheé]
11 The Bridge [feat. Pinkpantheress]
12 If We Meet Again
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