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Raven
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Raven Image
Metascore
86

Universal acclaim - based on 18 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 63 Ratings

  • Summary: The second full-length studio release for Kelela features contributions from such artists as s Junglepussy, Kaytranada, LSDXOXO, and Shygirl.
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 18
  3. Negative: 0 out of 18
  1. The Telegraph (UK)
    Feb 10, 2023
    100
    Months from her 40th birthday, Ethiopian-American artist Kelela Mizanekristos has blessed us with a sexy, sultry masterclass in RnB.
  2. Beats Per Minute
    Feb 10, 2023
    92
    Kelela‘s second album is a transformative work of art that merges house and ambient, soul and dance, and resides within interzones – like the titular animal, a mediator between the material world and the realm of the spirits. It’s a vast canvas of cultural expressions, emotional tones, erotic exploration and musical brilliance.
  3. AllMusic
    Feb 10, 2023
    90
    Constant if fluid oscillations between diaphanous ballads, pulsing slow jams, and modern street soul bangers are just as suited for the greater number of songs based in relationships. The water and flotation metaphors keep flowing, too. ... In several other songs, Kelela is dealing with a lover who is noncommittal, elusive, and inexpressive. They're just as affecting.
  4. New Musical Express (NME)
    Feb 8, 2023
    80
    It makes for a frequently breathtaking companion to ‘Take Me Apart’. In a debut album which was all about breaking down, ‘Raven’ reminds us of what it means to be put back together.
  5. Clash Music
    Feb 10, 2023
    80
    Don’t listen to ‘Raven’ expecting immediacy. Instead see ‘Raven’ as a point of discovery, fostering dialogue on and beyond the dancefloor; an open expanse and a surround sound experience for the marginalised seeking thrills beyond the white gaze.
  6. Uncut
    Feb 8, 2023
    80
    Raven is her triumphant move forward, 15 tracks of sensual R&B with a subtle strength at their core, wrapped in vaporous synths and variously edged with UK garage, '80s R&B and techno. [Mar 2023, p.29]
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  7. PopMatters
    Feb 14, 2023
    60
    The inclusion of trans rapper Rahrah Gabor on “Closure” is a fun and exciting change of pace but is still a small interlude on a record that is otherwise without features. Likewise, from its production choices, lyrical and thematic content, and overall aesthetic, Raven is less a bold artistic statement than its author might wish to convey. Despite its flaws, Raven is still a worthwhile listen.

See all 18 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 22
  3. Negative: 1 out of 22
  1. Foremoth3r
    Feb 11, 2023
    10
    Beautiful story, truly captivating and provoking. Sonically pristine, consumable and still experimental. Completely worth the wait and aBeautiful story, truly captivating and provoking. Sonically pristine, consumable and still experimental. Completely worth the wait and a natural progression for an artist that’s very concerned about the marginalized… Expand
  2. arekwarren
    Feb 10, 2023
    10
    album of the year, mother kelela has done it again. worth the 6 year wait definitely
  4. sandazu93
    Feb 10, 2023
    10
    A return to form and excellent sophomore LP. This belongs in anyone's catalog that takes R&B seriously. Takes experimental sounds to create aA return to form and excellent sophomore LP. This belongs in anyone's catalog that takes R&B seriously. Takes experimental sounds to create a universe where you feel surrounded and lonely at the same time.… Expand
  5. folie
    Feb 25, 2023
    10
    Raven is a boundary-pushing, transforming piece of art that defies classification. It is a broad and epic trip through numerous sonicRaven is a boundary-pushing, transforming piece of art that defies classification. It is a broad and epic trip through numerous sonic landscapes that fuses house and ambient music with soul and dance while existing in liminal spaces of emotion, culture, and erotica.

    The opening track, "Washed Away," makes it abundantly evident that Kelela is taking us on a highly intimate and emotional journey from the very first sounds. The album's delicately crafted diaphanous ballads, throbbing, bass-heavy slow jams, and contemporary street soul bangers are all performed with a raw emotional strength that is nothing short of astonishing.

    The use of water and buoyancy metaphors throughout the album creates a strong sense of continuity and thematic cohesiveness. Kelela wrestles with the complexity of relationships in songs like "Closure" and "Happy Ending," delving into the subtleties of love, desire, and longing with an honesty and sensitivity that is both uncommon and profound.

    But this album's uniqueness isn't due solely to its words. The production is absolutely phenomenal, with Kelela and her collaborators creating a rich and deep musical environment. The tracks are multi-layered and intricate, with varying textures and rhythms that captivate and entice the listener.

    "Raven" must be seen as an artistic and imaginative achievement. The record defies categorization by genre or tradition, and Kelela deserves all the acclaim that will undoubtedly be directed her way. She firmly established herself as one of the most significant and avant-garde voices in modern music with "Raven”.    … Expand
  6. musicbox
    Feb 22, 2023
    10
    kelela delivers a masterclass in dance and r&b on 'raven'. it is truly immersive thanks to a combination of captivating lyricism, stunningkelela delivers a masterclass in dance and r&b on 'raven'. it is truly immersive thanks to a combination of captivating lyricism, stunning melodies and angelic vocals intertwined with tight largely ocean themed production. it will be nothing short of a tall task for anything to come close to this level of quality in 2023.… Expand
  7. Oscales
    Feb 11, 2023
    10
    This record is incredible, easily one of the best albums I’ve heard sonically. Kelela’s buttery vocals are intoxicating and meshed withThis record is incredible, easily one of the best albums I’ve heard sonically. Kelela’s buttery vocals are intoxicating and meshed with hypnotic beats makes for a sultry, sexy experience that stays with you. Really outdid herself here… Expand
  8. crz4tay
    Feb 17, 2023
    0
    Plz! Good content please i beg, these girlies be trying to be so bad like taylor but theyll never be

See all 22 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

40
#40 Best Album of 2023
28
#28 Most Discussed Album of 2023

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