Guitars seem to be having a real moment in 2026, so the timing of Kelela's new album, new avatar, couldn't be better.

The new 12-track release is still most definitely an R&B album and the futurist outlook that always made her so engaging is still present, but there's a big infusion of psych-rock and shoegaze fuzziness to proceedings, informed by her time as lead singer of shoegaze band Dizzy Spells.

Features on the album are sparse but well used. A.K Paul contributes production, vocal engineering and even some wistful vocals of his own to "outta time", PinkPantheress provides some subtle and delicate vocal contributions to "the bridge", and New Jersey artist Fousheé chimes in with some fluid and effortlessly cool moments on "new life forms".

Kelela tackles a lot on this album, including experiences in New York, misogynoir, romantic tension, race, resilience and more, but the central unifying theme is her testing the fences on the boundaries of R&B, challenging what does and doesn't work with another immersive fusion sound.

"When it comes to genre, so much of what we compartmentalise isn't natural; it's something institutions and structures impose on us," says Kelela. "My goal, as an artist, is to express what feels true to me regardless of whether or not it fits into those boundaries. When I do that, I know I'm creating space for other people to feel affirmed in their own perspective. My hope for this record is that everyone can experience this catharsis of integration with me. I also need everyone to put some respect on R&B's name—it being as foundational as it is expansive, and to rethink what alternative and rock music can be."

Take a listen below.