Kelela shares new single linknb and confirms album release date

Kelela’s latest single follows on from idea 1, the critically praised lead track from forthcoming album new avatar, due out on Warp Records this July.

Date published: 6th May 2026

Kelela is back with news of her next album new avatar, set for release on Warp Records on Friday 10th July, and she’s setting the tone early with latest single, ‘linknb’.

An acclaimed American singer and songwriter known for blending alternative R&B vocals with avant-garde dance music, Kelela is stepping into a new era that leans into emotion and club energy all at once.

The new track ‘linknb’, produced by Oscar Scheller, started life as a mantra Kelela wrote to push through writer’s block. What came out of it is a hypnotic, stripped-back cut that hints at the direction of the full project. It follows moody lead single ‘idea 1’ and an intimate SoHo listening event that gave fans an early look into the world of new avatar.

Across the 12 tracks, which includes tracks ‘against me’, ‘retaliation lullaby’ and ‘the bridge’, the album promises shifts in energy, moving from introspection to release in true Kelela style. The album also brings a strong line-up of collaborators, with features from PinkPantheress, A. K. Paul and Fousheé.

With ‘linknb’ now out in the world and July’s release locked in, new avatar is shaping up to be one of her most immersive projects yet, and one of the most anticipated drops of the summer.

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Header image credit: Kelela / Facebook.com