Big changes are afoot for Kelis and her music career.
According to Pitchfork, the “Milkshake” singer has left Interscope Records (which released her 2010 album Flesh Tone) and teamed with TV on the Radio producer/guitarist Dave Sitek's indie label Federal Prism to drop two new albums in 2013.
Kelis isn't the first major R&B/neo-soul artist to sign with an indie headed by big-name alternative act. Solange also signed with Grizzly Bear bassist Chris Taylor's Terrible Records, which released her critically-acclaimed EP True and single “Losing You." The move paid off; Solange moved out of her famous sister's shadow, branding herself as an indie-fied soul songstress.
Kelis' Flesh Tone, her comeback album following a four-year break, was full of forward-thinking dance and house smashes (see: "Scream"), but failed to even reach the Top 40 on the Billboard 200. The new indie focus could work perfectly with Kelis who, like Solange, always seemed to focus more on artistic quality than album sales. So her new partnership with Sitek's Federal Prism could prove to be a match made in musical heaven.
In addition to Kelis, Federal Prism will keep busy with a slew of singles in 2013, too. Scarlett Johansson will make her musical comeback with a new single this year from the label. We last heard from the actress-turned-singer with “Before My Time,” a song from the movie Chasing Ice that earned her an Oscar nom. Danish pop chanteuse Oh Land and Sitek’s band TV on the Radio will also release singles this year on Federal Prism.
