Kelela “outta time” (feat. A.K. Paul): A Slow-Burn Intimate Moment from the Upcoming Album
June 21, 2026
recall
- Kelela’s New Avatar Era Continues With “outta time”
- A.K. Paul’s Atmospheric Contribution to the Single
- Themes of Love, Distance, and Emotional Conflict
- A Long-Lost Song From the Take Me Apart Sessions
- Inside the Intimate Official Music Video
- Kelela’s Organic Yet Futuristic Sound Palette
- What “outta time” Reveals About New Avatar
- Fin
In the lead-up to her highly anticipated third album New Avatar (out July 10 via Warp Records), Kelela has delivered another mesmerizing single with “outta time” featuring A.K. Paul. This track feels like a vulnerable, late-night conversation set to music—intimate, atmospheric, and emotionally layered in a way only Kelela can achieve.
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“outta time” unfolds like a slow, hazy dream. A.K. Paul (brother of Jai Paul and a key figure in the Paul Institute) brings lush, liquid guitar work that evokes 80s studio-rock polish—think smooth, reverb-drenched tones with a touch of Mk.gee-style intimacy. His conversational, slightly raspy vocals create a perfect foil to Kelela’s signature acrobatic, soaring delivery and intricate harmonies.
The production is sparse yet rich: gentle percussion, warm bass lines, and shimmering guitars that wrap around Kelela’s voice like smoke. There’s a sensual, almost melancholic groove that builds gradually, culminating in her trademark scatting and layered ad-libs that feel both improvisational and meticulously crafted. It’s a grower that rewards repeated listens, shifting from quiet tension to emotional release.
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The song explores the frustration and exhaustion of a strained relationship—waiting, knowing better, yet still caught in the cycle. Lines like “I’m waitin’ on you and I know better, but I struggle so much” capture that universal push-pull of love and self-awareness. Kelela and A.K. Paul trade lines like lovers in a studio confessional, heightening the sense of raw dialogue.
Originally written during the Take Me Apart era (around 2016–2017), the track sat patiently until it found its perfect home on New Avatar. This context adds depth: it’s a song that has matured alongside the artist, gaining new resonance in 2026.
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Directed with restraint, the official video places Kelela and A.K. Paul in an industrial studio setting as night falls. The stripped-back view mirror the song’s intimacy—no flashy choreography, just two artists singing directly to (and at) each other. The lighting and framing emphasize emotional distance and connection, making the show feel deeply personal.
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Kelela has always blurred boundaries between R&B, electronic, experimental, and alternative sounds. “outta time” leans more into organic, guitar-driven territory while retaining her futuristic vocal prowess. It fits beautifully alongside previous New Avatar singles like “idea 1,” “linknb,” and “point blank,” teasing an album that promises emotional range and sonic adventurousness, with features from PinkPantheress, Fousheé, and more.
This collaboration with A.K. Paul feels particularly special—two artists with deep ties to forward-thinking, genre-fluid music scenes creating something tender and human.
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“outta time” is a masterclass in mood and vocal show. It’s not an immediate banger but a sophisticated, late-night anthem that lingers. In a music landscape often dominated by high-energy drops, Kelela reminds us of the power in restraint and emotional honesty.
If this is any indication, New Avatar is poised to be one of the most compelling releases of 2026. Stream it now and mark your calendar for July 10. Kelela continues to operate on her own timeline—and it’s always worth the wait.
