From soulful jazz to funk and R&B, Raye proves on her debut album, “My 21st Century Blues,” that she can finesse the sound of any genre. The London-based singer, Rachel Keen, rose to fame after her No. 1 single, “Escapism,” went viral on TikTok. Don’t be fooled by the overnight virality, because the UK artist has been in the industry for several years.
The album begins with an emcee introducing Raye over a background of soft piano melodies, transporting the listener into a jazz club. Raye chimes in soon after, saying, “Hello, it’s Raye here. Please get nice and comfortable and lock your phones because the story is about to begin.” The album chronicles themes of heartbreak, loss, self-acceptance and female scorn. “Oscar Winning Tears” kicks off the album with a hard drum beat followed by piano, bass, synths, strings and smooth vocals. Raye’s clever lyricism quickly shows as she speak-sings, “Look how you talk to me, cursing and blasphemy, cinematography, get this on camera please, or no one gon’ believe this here.”
“I wanted to create a big dramatic classic feeling record with live strings to capture the audacity of his silly tears, to feel powerful whilst telling this story,” Raye said in a Spotify storyline.
Raye further displays her quick-witted songwriting in “Hard Out Here,” where she lays out lines that seem to be targeted towards her ex-record label, Polydor, who withheld the release of her album. This record serves as a freedom anthem as she flaunts her newly found independence.
The pace quickens as we get to “Black Mascara” and “Escapism,” two songs that embody Raye’s signature house and electronic dance music sounds. Both songs mirror each other in the way that they tell a story of her dark healing process.
“This song was very intentionally me creating sonic medicine to ease my pain at this point,” the singer said in a Spotify storyline about “Black Mascara.”
“Escapism” is perhaps the most captivating single, beginning with a haunting consonance of violin strings before transitioning into a catchy dark-pop beat. The sonic symbolism of Raye’s pain from addiction is apparent throughout the track; it mimics the ups and downs of a high as the beat quickens and slows.
“When you’re your lowest of lows, it’s like survival mode mind-numbing, running from real life because it’s not something you want to see,” Raye said in an interview through DIY Magazine. “Sonically large and dramatic, something to accompany this feeling, to get lost to and maybe you might find some healing inside of it like I did.”
Raye’s sultry voice is especially apparent in deeper cuts such as “Mary Jane” and “Worth It.” The enchanting sound of the electric guitar swoons through “Mary Jane,” and “Worth It” is characterized by warm harmonies and vocal layering.
“Buss It Down” stands out sonically, featuring a gospel-like choir that echoes Raye’s stripped-down melodies and runs; the secret, though, is that there is no gospel choir.
“Me and Mike Sabath also recorded hundreds of vocals on top of each other to create the choir together,” Raye said in a Spotify storyline.
My 21st Century Blues is a fine body of cohesive work that illustrates Raye’s passion and talent. The album is an extremely strong independent debut and leaves the pressing question of what will she give us next?
