New Avatar
| New Avatar | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | July 10, 2026 | |||
| Length | 40:47 | |||
| Label | Warp | |||
| Producer |
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| Kelela chronology | ||||
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| Singles from New Avatar | ||||
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New Avatar is the upcoming third studio album by the American singer and songwriter Kelela. It is scheduled for release on July 10, 2026, via Warp Records. The album was preceded by the singles "Idea 1" and "Linknb" and features guest appearances by A. K. Paul, Fousheé, and PinkPantheress.
Background
[edit]New Avatar reflects on Kelela's early songwriting days in the D.C. indie scene and blends elements of "shoegaze, grunge, R&B, and electronic music".[1] It draws from everywhere she has "lived musically", resulting in a sound described as "R&B run through distorted guitar" as well as elements of dance music.[2] Kelela stated that the album "finds solace in confronting" and does not seek to distract from what is happening in the world, but instead to "make sense in this crazy moment", with the hope of helping listeners reconnect with the "beauty and joy" they could experience.[3]
Singles
[edit]Following the release of her first live album, In the Blue Light, in 2025, and a social media blackout in March 2026,[1] the singer returned with original material on April 8, 2026, releasing the lead single "Idea 1". Produced by Oscar Scheller, the "guitar-driven" indie rock and shoegaze track explores "what it feels like to exist in this climate" and was written by Kelela while she was reading Parable of the Sower.[4] The song received critical acclaim, earning "Best New Track" from Pitchfork, among other praise.[5]
The album was announced on May 5, 2026, alongside the release of its second single, "Linknb".[6] Also produced by Scheller, the track was built around "a busy Mk.gee-like guitar figure".[7]
On May 31, 2026, it was announced that the third single off the album would be released at midnight and on June 1, "Point Blank" was released.
On June 14, 2026, Kelela announced "Outta Time", the fourth promotional single from the album, a collaboration with A. K. Paul. It was released two days later alongside its music video, directed by Ryosuke Tanzawa.
Track listing
[edit]| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Idea 1" |
| 3:25 |
| 2. | "Point Blank" |
| 4:26 |
| 3. | "Goin Down" |
| 3:20 |
| 4. | "Outta Time" (featuring A. K. Paul) |
| 4:11 |
| 5. | "Against Me" |
| 2:40 |
| 6. | "Crystalize" |
| 4:11 |
| 7. | "Retaliation Lullaby" |
| 3:07 |
| 8. | "Linknb" |
| 1:55 |
| 9. | "Don't Piss Me Off" |
| 3:30 |
| 10. | "New Life Forms" (featuring Fousheé) |
| 3:24 |
| 11. | "The Bridge" (featuring PinkPantheress) |
| 3:53 |
| 12. | "If We Meet Again" |
| 2:45 |
Personnel
[edit]Credits are adapted from Tidal.[8]
- Kelela – production, mixing (all tracks); vocal engineering (tracks 1, 8)
- Oscar Scheller – production (1–3, 5–12), vocal engineering (1–3, 5, 6, 8–12); vocal production, vocal arrangement (11)
- A. K. Paul – production, vocal engineering (4)
- Zion Russell – vocal engineering (2, 3, 5, 7, 9–12)
- Chris Kasych – vocal engineering (4)
- PinkPantheress – vocal engineering (11)
- Nickie Jon Pabón – vocal engineering (11)
- Joe LaPorta – mastering
- Scarlet House – guitar (1)
- Kezia Warioba – additional vocals (8)
References
[edit]- ^ a b Mickles, Kiana (May 5, 2026). "Kelela Announces Third Album New Avatar". Pitchfork. Retrieved May 5, 2026.
- ^ Hussain, Shazaib (May 5, 2026). "Kelela Announces Third Album New Avatar". Clash. Retrieved May 5, 2026.
- ^ Pappis, Konstantinos (May 5, 2026). "Kelela Announces New Album New Avatar, Shares New Song 'linknb'". Our Culture Mag. Retrieved May 5, 2026.
- ^ Hess, Tobias (April 8, 2026). "Kelela returns with indie rock song "idea 1"". The Fader. Retrieved May 5, 2026.
- ^ Mickles, Kiana (April 8, 2026). "Kelela: "idea 1" Track Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved May 5, 2026.
- ^ Eede, Christian (May 5, 2026). "Kelela Details New Album, 'new avatar'". The Quietus. Retrieved May 5, 2026.
- ^ DeVille, Chris (May 5, 2026). "Kelela Announces New Album new avatar Feat. PinkPantheress, Fousheé, & A. K. Paul: Hear "linknb"". Stereogum. Retrieved May 5, 2026.
- ^ "new avatar / Kelela / Credits". Tidal. Retrieved May 19, 2026.