Rave:N, The Remixes＜数量限定盤＞

Kelelaの2023年アルバム『RAVEN』のリミックス・アルバムが数量限定の3枚組ヴァイナルでリリース!!

メインストリーム/ポップとレフトフィールドを横断し、Gorillaz, Bjork, Solangeらも絶賛する次世代R&Bシンガー、Kelelaが、多くのメディアから絶賛された2023年アルバム『RAVEN』のリミックスアルバムを数量限定でリリース。『RAVE:N, The Remixes』は、「Raven」から再構築・再解釈された楽曲のコレクションとして、Shygirl、Yaeji、Liv.e、BbyMutha、LEECHなど、多彩なコラボレーターが参加している。

Kelelas releases take years to create, then completely change the game when they arrive, and the R&B iconoclast curates her remixes with the same finesse as her main projects, sometimes recording new vocals for the reimagined songs. For 2018s TAKE ME A_PART, THE REMIXES, she reached out to club niches and boundary-pushing vocalists from around the world, spotlighting artists ranging from South African gqom pioneer DJ Lag and Brazilian hybrid club producer Badsista to gospel-influenced singer serpentwithfeet and rappers such as Junglepussy and Princess Nokia. Even at 20 tracks, with several songs appearing in multiple versions, there was so much ground covered that it didnt feel like overkill, or redundant, and the remixes generally lived up to the quality of the original versions while often taking them in vastly different directions. RAVE:N, The Remixes does the same for 2023s Raven, offering an entirely worthwhile alternate view of an already brilliant statement. On Raven, Kelela and conspirators such as BAMBII, LSDXOXO, and Asmara developed an immersive, aquatic sound drawing from jungle, ambient, garage, and dancehall. RAVE:N, The Remixes is fittingly more club-focused, yet keeps the intimacy and emotional core of the original songs. Maintaining the atmosphere of the album itself, many tracks feature lush pads and crystal-clear sound design, dipping into smooth Afro-house (Karen Nyame KGs soothing remix of "Contact") or dreamy footwork (DJ Swishas juke-ified "Far Away"). "Closure (Flexulant x Bambii Remix feat. Rahrah Gabor and brazy)" is more progressive, ramping up from a stately gallop to a faster, more fragmented finale. SUCIA!s exhilarating remix of "Bruises" concentrates on the atmospheric side of breakbeat hardcore, and Ethereals Liv.e-featuring mix of "Washed Away" is a woozy tumble of midtempo jungle breaks and layered vocals. A few tracks are more abrasive and experimental, such as the tense "Fooley (LEECH Ambient Queen Remix)," which is punctured with noise interruptions and abrasive beats, or "Far Away (SUUTOO His Eye Is on the Raven Remix feat. Ms. Carrie Stacks)," a beatless piece which begins with overdriven buzzing and eventually dissolves into weightless, abstract strumming. Remix collections can be pointless, arbitrary cash-ins, but Kelelas hands-on approach, excellent taste, and overall mastery of her craft assure that RAVE:N, The Remixes is an exception. ~ Paul Simpson