New Avatar
Upcoming 2026 studio album by Kelela
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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.
| 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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Background
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
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]
Track listing
| 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
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)