THIS MUSIC MAY CONTAIN HOPE. RAYE turns trauma into triumph

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Written by Francesca O’Callaghan

This is the South London raised superstar's second album, following her smash hit studio album My 21 Century Blues, which garnered over 2 billion streams on Spotify, elevating her stance in the music industry and is often described by many as a “force to be reckoned with”.

RAYE performing at the OVO Hydro in February as part of her ‘This Tour May Contain New Music.’ tour.

RAYE’s renowned jazz, soul, and R&B style is channeled once again, in addition to the heavy emotional complexity weaved throughout that RAYE expressed in her press release on social media as “I wanted to create something that is a hug”. Meanwhile in an interview with Apple music, she stated that she wanted to make an album where "hope is a central theme", and have it be "not just for her" but to encourage other people to "not give up on life". 

RAYE had a rough start, having spent seven years on the backbench, witnessing her compositions be prolonged, or passed along much like a kid would pass the parcel at parties. This was preliminary to My 21st Century Blues which crowned her the first female winner of Songwriter of the Year at the BRIT Awards. She noted how her label wouldn't allow her to release a whole album despite her success with a few singles, namely ‘BED’ with Joel Corry and David Guetta, ‘Natalie Don’t’, and ‘Prada’ with cassö and D Block Europe. Consequently, she quit and released her debut on her own. This was a major step for female independence within the industry. She had control. She had the power. She held the microphone that would be the gateway into her story.

This new album offers her listeners a fresh new perspective on her life. With her first album dealing with the ‘blues’ of her own personal trauma from addiction, sexual assault and industry exploitation. This second album is her stepping into the light, focused on recovery, fortitude and comfort. This 17 track album is spread across four seasoned-themed acts, featuring episodic songs, unexpected twists, rich orchestration and a skillful blend of cocktail, vintage jazz with youthful house beats. Something for everyone.

RAYE is constantly compared to none other than the queen of soul herself - Amy Winehouse. They’ve been compared so much to the point that RAYE even mentioned her on the second track on the album, ‘I Will Overcome’. RAYE called Winehouse's treatment by the British press "so evil" and linked it to the negative comparisons she has endured. The song is about "encouraging herself" and ignoring the "wicked world that wants to whisper to you that you can't and you won't," according to RAYE, who characterised herself as going through a "microcosm" of what Winehouse went through.

‘WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!’ is a song with witty urgency and energetic fire that never disappoints. The six minute focal point, ‘I Know You're Hurting,’ is time well spent. Here, RAYE calmly holds watch while persevering the emotional turmoil without her usual sarcastic wit and satire that greets our ears. It's echoing the idea of family and friends who can tell when something is wrong and see behind that mask and facade that you are attempting to conceal behind.

The album was released on 27th March and is available on all platforms. So, if you’re looking for something to jazz up your life, you have come to the right album. Whether you're having a busy day at work, or just need a calm relaxing Sunday afternoon, this little piece of musical medicine could be just the solution.