Kelela — 'Take Me Apart' Album Review

If Kelela was just a blip on your radar before, prepare yourself. She’s ready to become a full-fledged star. Her debut studio album projects a sound that’s so uncanny to the pop landscape that she’s sure to stand out. This is a track-by-track review of her latest album, Take Me Apart.

1. “Frontline” – This is a smooth intro. The lyrics are abstract and that works to her advantage because her contemporaries are more direct. It's edgy too, she's on the frontline moving at top speed and has no time for those that want to waste her time. Fellas, Kelela wants you to step your game up.
2. “Waitin” – Patience is key. But sometimes you wait so long that you get caught in limbo. I love her vocals and writing so far. She’s so poetic, like when she says, “Falling into the sky.” This is a song I could see Cassie attempting but to no avail.
3. "Take Me Apart” – This is sexy as hell. This would make a great single; it belongs on radio airwaves or in clubs. Those drums help make this song feel full of life. I love the change in key near the end. She has tremendous range in her vocals, hitting those icy falsettos with ease. Sheesh. Her voice is slightly reminiscent of early Alicia Keys records.
4. “Enough” – There are a ton of layers of reverb and echoes. I love how her background vocals fade in and out while that drum pattern kicks in the back. This is a good track to just vibe to.
5. “Jupiter” – This is for the night owls. The track commences with the rain falling, before those drums start filling in some of the empty space. “Less is more” with this one. It sounds like an interlude; like the calm before the storm.
6. “Better” – And here comes the storm. This track is about a rocky on-and-off again relationship. It starts off as a break, but she keeps hanging onto her ex. What ensues seems to be guilt and inner turmoil. She keeps asking, “Didn’t I make you better?” It's the blurry line between unrequited love and acceptance.
7. “LMK” – Her voice is hypnotic on this one. Curve game strong. This is a club slow jam. Definitely a radio hit. I love that hook; this is ear candy.
8. “Truth Dare” – “It's round 3 won't u tell me your fantasy” her voice is seductive. I like how these tracks feel so full even though there's minimal instrumentation. This song is literally drums synths, her background vocals, and harmonies. There are times when the beat rests and let's her fill the space. The fading towards the end sounds like something Noah “40” Shebib would do.
9. “S.O.S.” – This many tracks in, the vibe is clear: this is an album for romantics pondering who’s right for them, while they stare at misty skies and the moon. There’s so much longing and yearning for fulfillment. She's seduced me for the past nine tracks.
10. “Blue Light” – Woah! It’s hard not to love those Daft Punk vocal effects. Those drums are dope. Each verse builds up to the climatic hook where she croons that the “Chains they come falling down.” This is my favorite song on this project.
11. “Onanon” – This is like electro pop/RnB. “It's not a break up, it's just a break down/we’re spinning arouuuund.” Those chilly falsettos are seductive. She’s very self-aware of her style too, "Don't know why I'm always singing something blue, even when there's nothing wrong." Luckily for Kelela, her style is working.
12. “Turn to Dust” – Eerie string arrangements set the mood. There are rests, layers, and echoes. These falsettos might freeze your speakers, so crank that heat up. The strings and instrumental start to crescendo and then fall like waves as they reach the shore. “One look at you and… I turn to dust.”
13. “Bluff” – A warmer track near the end. Very short and decisive… “I'm gonna prove u wrong. I'm calling your bluff.” I would hate to be the person lying to her.
14. “Altadena” – This album is very cryptic. I’m not very impressed with this outro though. It’s not because this isn’t a great vocal performance. I just think Kelela did a great job for 13 songs selling heartbreak and desire. I sort of expected something colder. This track is decent though.

The Verdict

This is a great debut album from a star who will be around for a long time if she continues to produce content of this quality. Expect to see more of her in the coming months. Take Me Apart is an A-.