Kelela returns with new single Washed Away

The Take Me Apart artist is back following a four-year hiatus.

Kelela is back with a new song. The vocalist, producer and former Crack Magazine cover star has today (13 September) shared a new single entitled Washed Away via Warp Records. The Yo van Lanz-produced track lands alongside a new visual captured in Ethiopia’s Danakil Depression. It’s directed by Yasser Abubeker, the producer-director behind visuals for the likes of Shygirl and Ms. Carrie Stacks.

Speaking on the new song in a statement, Kelela said: “I love a banger, but for the first point of contact out of my hiatus, it felt more honest to lead with an ambient heart-check.” Further reflecting, she added: “I specifically want to speak to marginalised Black folk and highlight the work we do to find renewal in a world that’s built to make us feel inadequate. This song is the soundtrack to the relief we find after going inward.”

Just yesterday (12 September), we reported on what appeared to be an imminent return for the artist, who released her debut album – and last solo release – Take Me Apart in 2017. Kelela had spent the weekend teasing her comeback via a series of amusing videos referencing her “disappearance” from the music industry.

Kelela has kept a relatively low profile in the years since Take Me Apart. In 2018, a year on from the album’s release, she returned with a remix project featuring contributions from the likes of Hitmakerchinx, LSDXOXO, Gaika and Kaytranada. Two years later, in 2020, she appeared on London DJ and producer FAUZIA’s are you hoping for a miracle? EP, lending her voice to track When It’s All Over.

Washed Away is out now via Warp Records. Stream the single here and watch the new video in the player above.