A performer in her prime, Raye makes her pitch to sing the next Bond theme

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After years of frustration – being signed to a record label for seven years without ever releasing an album – Raye is finally achieving her artistic goals. She released her debut LP, ‘My 21st Century Blues,’ independently in 2023 and is now making up for lost time.

Rachel Keen, who attended the BRIT School, has risen to prominence as a major artist in British pop music.

In 2024, she dominated the BRIT Awards, making history as the first artist to win six awards in one night. She also transformed her album, My 21st Century Blues, into a grand orchestral performance at the Royal Albert Hall.

Having found success with her first album, she had more money to work with on her second, ‘This Music May Contain Hope,’ and carefully considered every detail.

Her new album arrives Friday, and it’s a big one! Featuring 17 songs – practically a double album – it combines deeply personal lyrics with the powerful sound of the London Symphony Orchestra, a choir, spoken-word segments, and samples from iconic artists like James Brown and Aretha Franklin. It’s definitely not a subtle release!

The singer, a 28-year-old from South London, truly shines with her flexible and expressive voice. The album also features exciting collaborations: renowned film composer Hans Zimmer adds powerful orchestral arrangements to ‘Click Clack Symphony,’ and soul icon Al Green joins her for a duet on ‘Goodbye Henry.’ While she confidently moves between upbeat pop-soul and emotional ballads, occasionally her ambitious ideas feel a bit overwhelming.

Sometimes the production feels excessive, and the lengthy thank-you speech at the end is a little overdone. However, her energy and enthusiasm are undeniable.

This album is generally more upbeat than ‘My 21st Century Blues,’ though it still carries a feeling of heartbreak and unreturned affection.

Raye is now a self-assured singer-songwriter who confidently follows her creative vision. Her new album begins in Paris, depicting a heartbroken Raye seeking solace on the rainy streets of the city late at night.

While still performing in France, she powerfully delivers “I Will Overcome,” sounding like she’s performing the theme song to a James Bond film – a role she seems destined for. She then shifts gears with “Beware… The South London Lover Boy,” a lively soul track that perfectly showcases her talents.

The song ‘Nightingale Lane’ is a heartfelt ballad that specifically references Clapham as the place where she experienced her first and most painful heartbreak. It’s a very personal and location-focused song.

The piano ballad ‘I Know You’re Hurting’ brings to mind Florence Welch of Florence + The Machine. The album then moves from sadness to recovery with ‘Life Boat,’ a song reminiscent of Raye’s earlier dance tracks, and the energetic ‘Where Is My Husband!,’ which makes the quest for a lasting relationship feel surprisingly upbeat.

Okay, seriously, this album is EVERYTHING! And the way it ends? Forget about it. There are actually two huge, epic closing tracks! “Joy” is just… breathtaking, especially because Raye sings with her sisters, Amma and Abby-Lynn. Their harmonies are unreal! And then, just when you think it’s over, “Happier Times Ahead” hits you. It’s the perfect way to wrap up such an emotional journey, honestly. I’ve had both on repeat since the album dropped!

The end-credits then roll against a backdrop of Hollywood strings on Fin.

While these songs feel more suited for a musical than a traditional concert, they showcase an artist at the peak of her abilities.

This Music May Contain Hope is out on Friday. Raye plays The O2, London, on May 19 and 20.

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2026-03-23 01:58