Kelela releases new rave-influenced track ‘Happy Ending’

Kelela has released a new single ‘Happy Ending’, The US singer/songwriter's second since returning with 'Washed Away' last month.

The new track is a morose love song, sung over a chorus of rave-tinged breaks and hearty synth stabs — produced by underground favourite LSDXOXO and Bambii.

Kelela has also released a music video for the track, co-directed by herself and filmmaker and NTS resident Alima Lee — featuring moments from the Black rave scene of New York City.

Read this next: Listen to an ambient-heavy new mix from Kelela

In September, Kelela surprised fans with her first track in five years, ‘Washed Away’ — the singer-songwriter’s first release since her debut album ‘Take Me Apart’ in 2017.

“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," Kelela said in a press statement about ‘Washed Away’.

“I specifically want to speak to marginalized Black folk and highlight the work we do to find renewal in a world that’s built to make us feel inadequate,” she added. “This song [‘Washed Away’] is the soundtrack to the relief we find after going inward.”

Read this next: Kelela: "The 'making something out of thin air' feeling is so delicious"

It's also been a busy year for LSDXOXO, not only has he produced this new Kelela track but also released his a new single and remixed version of his 2021 EP ‘Dedicated 2 Disrespect: The Remixes’.

LSDXOXO also contributed his own remix to PinkPanteress’ ‘to hell with it’ remix project.

Kelela's ‘Happy Ending’ is out via Warp Records. Watch the music video below.

Becky Buckle is Mixmag's Video and Editorial Assistant, follow her on Twitter