Kelela Releases Her Live Album “In The Blue Light”
Singer/Songwriter Kelela released her live album In The Blue Light on February 11, 2025. The album, comprising live performances by the Maryland-born artist, was recorded in Greenwich’s legendary Blue Note Jazz Club. In The Blue Light follows her 2023 album Raven and its remixed 2024 companion, Rave:n, the Remixes.
In the album, Kelela uses her rich voice and expansive range, enthralling the crowd with renditions from her previous works. Beginning with “Enemy” from the 2013 mixtape Cut 4 Me, the lyrics ponder over transience, a metaphor for failing relationships. Additionally, Kelela’s cathartic foray continues in the haunting track “Raven,” from the 2023 namesake album, which chronicles resurgence and revival. In “Take Me Apart,” Kelela opts for a vibe shift where the wistful air makes way for an upbeat atmosphere. The song marks the beginning of spoken verses that Kelela employs to divulge feelings and make peace with her past.
“Bankhead” and “Waitin” utilize the choral power of singers Xenia Manasseh and Alayna Rodgers, who buoy up Kelela’s vocals. During her cover of Betty Carter’s songs “30 Years” and “Love Notes,” Kelela offers social commentary as an aside. Apropos of the extant social injustices, Kelela’s call for “Reparations now!” and also to “Free Palestine!” is met with thunderous applause from the audience.
“My father planted a very deliberate jazz seed. He knew what he was doing.”
The well-known Joni Mitchell song “Furry Sings the Blues” is another cover that Kelela astutely co-opts, presenting her take on the renowned song that blends folk rock and jazz. The standout track “Better” is a gratifying narrative about a lover who no longer wishes to associate with her former beau. During “Better,” Kelela pays homage to her father present in the audience. Furthermore, she credits the collection of songs in her father’s light blue Pontiac Le Mans as the source of her musical inspiration.
Kelela Releases Her Documentary
In the documentary, “In the Blue Light,” Kelela gives a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the efforts to bring the eponymous album to fruition. Describing her multifaceted journey as a singer, producer, songwriter, composer, and lyricist, the documentary unveils Kelela’s vivacious side. With 750,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, and 99,000 subscribers on YouTube, Kelela’s revival is afoot.
In The Blue Light is available to stream on Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube.
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