REVIEW: RAYE Proves Her Genius Again On ‘THIS ALBUM MAY CONTAIN HOPE’
REVIEW
REVIEW
☆ BY SAMANTHA SORIA ☆
In music, every now and then there’s an artist who emerges and leaves listeners awestruck, quickly becoming a fan favorite. This is exactly the case for British singer-songwriter RAYE, who blew everyone away with her talent when she burst onto the scene with her 2023 debut album, My 21st Century Blues.
The first album was labeled as a victory and praised by many critics; with the release of her sophomore album, THIS ALBUM MAY CONTAIN HOPE, the singer now accomplishes another victory lap.
The album, which is broken up into four acts and seasons, begins with the season of autumn. RAYE sets the scene and opens with “Intro: Girl Under The Grey Cloud” before moving along to “I Will Overcome,” a reflective song for the singer-songwriter and the start of the album’s gorgeous theatrical landscape.
There’s a thriller-esque introduction on “Beware.. The South London Lover Boy” but it quickly pivots to a high jazz-pop energy before moving on to “The WhatsApp Shakespeare,” which takes inspiration from the myth of Eve and the Serpent to tell a modern story of romantic manipulation.
Act II (WINTER) begins with “Winter Woman.” Not only does the song give space to hip-hop, but it also allows for the orchestral elements to shine, especially when adding a feature from one of Vivaldi’s most famous compositions in the bridge.
Not many artists can say that they’ve collaborated with a legendary film composer, but RAYE does on “Click Clack Symphony.” Hans Zimmer adds his magic touch to the song, especially at the end, bringing to life the sound of hope that has been preached throughout the album.
Labeling “I Know You’re Hurting” as a grand ballad would be an understatement. If anything, it’s a powerful sermon. It’s such a standout not only production wise but in its message through lyrics such as, “But I know you’re hurting, deep down there’s something burning / if you need two more arms to hold these burdens, I am here / I said a prayer for you / I hope it’s working / Please my dear, don’t stop believing in miracles.”
Sometimes the most emotional stories are woven into dance-filled tracks, and on “Life Boat,” though the dark clouds haven’t disappeared, the song brings that one quick glimpse of clear skies before bringing the second act to an energetic finale.
Act III (SPRING) begins with the jazzy track “I Hate The Way I Look Today.” For anyone who has ever looked at themselves in the mirror and has been so self-critical, the lyrics in this song are the most painfully and comically accurate. But even so, it’s a song that also shares a public service announcement for everyone to heed: “You must change the way you talk to yourself.”
The legendary Al Green makes a feature on “Goodbye Henry.” The song, though labeled as “sad” by the singer herself, sounds the complete opposite and continues into “Nightingale Lane.” The second single off the album spins the typical heartbreak ballad on its head.
Frustration is once again released on “Skin & Bones” and creates a smooth segway to the fourth and final act (SUMMER) with “WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!”, the impressive lead single that caught everyone’s attention and made everyone smile as the singer’s grandmother makes a cameo in the final chorus.
The family affair continues as RAYE brings her grandfather, Grandad Michael, to feature alongside her on “Fields” and her sisters, Amma and Absolutely, on “Joy.” It’s at this point in the album that the dark clouds the singer has painted for us in the beginning are finally clearing.
Pure optimism is laced throughout “Happier Times Ahead.” It’s a reminder that though life may continue to throw hardships, good things will always be waiting for you in the end; that the sun will be shining brightly on the other side. “Fin” brings a theatrical end to the show that is THIS ALBUM MAY CONTAIN HOPE. It literally closes the red curtain and rolls credits on all those who worked hard to bring this collection of songs to life. More so, it’s a great treat for those who grew up loving to read the sleeve notes on their favorite albums.
Persistence, optimism, and fortitude are just a few things we might forget about when times are tough, especially the ones we are living through today, but on THIS ALBUM MAY CONTAIN HOPE, we’re reminded of them. This album is the reaffirming hand over one’s shoulder, reminding you that everything will be okay.
As for RAYE, she once again shows us that her artistry is one-of-a-kind. Her impressive ability to switch between genres throughout the album so seamlessly is something not many can do without sounding jumbled. Her power to tell stories so articulately is evidence of her strength as a songwriter, even when breaking the fourth wall.
This album and RAYE, herself, have without a doubt made a mark in music once again, and come next GRAMMY season, it will be no surprise to anyone when it takes more than one award home.
