Published by Mason Oldridge, 27 January 2023
After years as a featuring artist and making a name for herself, the London singer-songwriter reaches the milestone of her debut album chronicling her 21st century experiences.
Raye incorporates a multitude of genres on this release. There’s a prominent R&B influence on the record, heard on the likes of Hard Out Here and Flip A Switch, as well as jazz on The Thrill is Gone, gospel on Buss it Down and drum’n’bass on Environmental Anxiety, which has what can only be described as Crazy Frog sounds throughout. Black Mascara is an epic dance track sounding like a CamelPhat production and most successful single Escapism tells of post-breakup debauchery over a trip hop beat.
The most honest tracks are the standouts; Ice Cream Man is about being a strong woman against unwanted and inappropriate male attention and Body Dysmorphia features cutting lyrics on the titular condition.
Unfortunately, these few gems are embedded among several unmemorable tracks that will likely fade as background noise. Despite this, this shouldn’t take away any merit from the songs that demonstrate talent and potential from this up and coming musical artist with her own uniqueness about her.
5/10