RAYE’s THIS MUSIC MAY CONTAIN HOPE: A Review

The day is finally here! I woke up, jumped straight out of bed, went downstairs, made myself a cup of tea (of course), and put RAYE’s new album on. Having heard some of the songs live in the (aptly) named THIS TOUR MAY CONTAIN NEW MUSIC (check out my review here: https://www.worldhere.org/journal/9ax3wxbgzov60qq8o1x3iw35351faz), I was beyond excited to be able to put all of the new songs onto my playlists. So, here we are.

​The album ventures far beyond expectations, portraying themes of grief, excitement, fear, and - most importantly - hope. As I summarised in my review of the tour, the songs direct the listener on a journey towards acceptance, with a message to just keep on going, because everything will be okay in the end. It explores all four seasons (with the songs already divided into these sub-sections, thanks RAYE!) and the accompanying themes associated with them, and thus, I will write on all seventeen songs. Wrap up warm and get your pumpkin-spiced lattés: we begin with autumn!

Track 1–Intro: Girl Under A Grey Cloud

RAYE sets the scene in the dramatic-flair that we have come to expect from her. She tells the story of a young woman wandering through the Paris streets, heavily influenced by alcohol and loneliness. The orchestral backing accompanies this hopeless feeling, pushing a cinematic-like tone that will be prevalent throughout the album. While only 1:17 long, this piece sets the tone for the remainder of the album. ‘Be prepared for heartbreak and unashamed truths!’ this introduction tells us, and it does a very effective job at conveying this.

It ends with RAYE’s grandma (yes! She’s back!) telling her to ‘Please, call me back. We need to pray…’. I love the inclusion of her family throughout her work: it shows an acceptance of her roots and where she has come from, serving as an inspiration for her music (as we will come back to later on in the album!). And the story of this young woman isn’t over yet, as the music swells, gradually transitioning into…

Track 2–I Will Overcome.

Upon first reading the title, I expected an uplifting song about battling through troubles, yet rising high and overcoming them. However, at the beginning, we are faced with the pure loneliness that we can face in our lives.

​The first verse is so poetic in its imagery that it’s hard to not see RAYE before us, walking alone and struggling to see herself. Pain is disguised behind ‘black cat eye-glasses’, but she still cries, and it looks ‘chic’. Everywhere reminds her of memories she thought she had left behind, and to total it all off, RAYE references how people compare her to ‘Amy’, a clear reference to Amy Winehouse. Through similarities in their performance and style of music, it is easy to compare the two; however, when used in insults towards RAYE, it is belittling. The troubles stretched out before us make it obvious the pain RAYE goes through on the daily, and it is effective how she sets this scene of relatability, but further separates us through the mention of Amy. These troubles are personal to RAYE–this song is her story.

​The next verse talks more of the struggles, however, this time, they are directed towards social media, and how draining it is to be mindlessly scrolling through it and comparing yourself to everyone. This trouble is more relatable and brought a sense of pain upon the first hearing for me: when you know you shouldn’t be comparing, but you do anyway, and spend your whole day away scrolling, scrolling, scrolling. But RAYE won’t let that get to her. She will organise a ‘sad little feast’ where she will spend her grief ‘jump up and down on [her] bed’ and ‘eat chocolate cake and have no regrets’. But in the end, these feelings of low dopamine return, and she will come to regret it. These lyrics really evoke the struggle in the everyday, and the grief is obvious through her singing. It is hard not to feel sorry for her. But, she will overcome these personal struggles.

​In the final verse, she realises how we all only live once, and that if we don’t do something for ourselves now, then we will never live the life we need. The music swells. RAYE reminds herself how she must keep going, overcome, and the music is this reminder. This is the loudest part of the track, and rightly so.

​For the introduction to the album, the stage is set and we know what to expect. I adored this opening and I am an absolute sucker for orchestral tracks, and there will be more to come throughout the album. The ending brass and chord are dramatic, and allude to what is next…

Track 3–Beware.. The South London Lover Boy.

Welcome to Halloween! The track opens reminiscent of Michael Jackson’s Thriller, and it is immediately clear why.

This track is upbeat and fun, but warns of the predatory men who take advantage of young women in London. He is portrayed as evil, and actually real through the reference to the ‘Lime Bike’, a common mode of transportation easily accessible to pedestrians. He comes up to young women, charms them and flirts, before using their home as a place to rest his head. He is obviously toxic, as he tells the one he’s with, but his charms make it hard to say no to him. But something suggests that even if you said no, he wouldn’t take it anyway…

​RAYE perfectly portrays the struggles women go through everyday, with the unwanted attention from men on the streets. While the song appears upbeat, fun and humorous, the trouble is something that women often fret about, especially regarding how the men will react if they try to run. This is shown in the second verse, where the ‘he’ becomes an ‘it’, a more predatory man who will definitely not take no for answer. We are told to ‘be polite’ in the face of cat-calling and to not antagonise it, despite being the victims of this situation. Women have been doing this for years, but with the added line ‘or else the outcome will be lethal’ tears us back to reality.

​This song is perfect because it is memorable, and it reminds us about the gritty reality for women. We are reminded everyday to be careful, carrying pepper sprays or walking the light way home. This song is a fun way to joke about the situation, but it is impossible to ignore the truth behind it. The ending is repetitive and serves as a proper warning for ‘girls’. I really enjoyed the song and its similarities to WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!, but with its dark reality, it's easy to see why this song belongs in autumn.

Track 4–The Whatsapp Shakespeare.

This is the one I’ve been looking forward to the most. As an English Literature major, I always look out for references to Shakespeare in the media and am curious to see why they use his name in their work. And oh, what a fun, but tragic, song it is.

​This song refers to many stories of women taking the fall for men’s actions, and in this case, RAYE describes how the ‘Whatsapp Shakespeare Killer’ would flirt over Whatsapp calls just to get into her life. He would lure her away from her family and the people she loves just to have his way with her (even losing herself, as she loses her accent), and in a very humorous section we get her family hunting him down for the pain he caused her. But unfortunately, this hunting is not enough to end this man’s streak, as RAYE finds out he was seeing six other women at the exact same time. Man, he must really have a way with words.

​The song serves as another warning to women to look out for love-bombing and seduction techniques that lead to manipulation and them getting hurt. The line ‘forward this text to at least ten people, please’ references chain mail and the consequence one will get if they do not. RAYE is a master of the reference and it is incredible to see how much she brings in to see these songs act as warnings while poetic in nature.

​And the ending. Incredible, switching from pop to jazz. To me, it reminds me of the switch from Genesis part two to three, and how different meanings can be evoked through music. In this moment, it gives almost a cinematic, graphic-novel-esque feel, portraying the killer as a supervillain. The whole instrumentation throughout this album is masterful and I am absolutely obsessed so far. So far, the album has portrayed men taking advantage of RAYE, and while she showcases this in many different genres and forms, the meanings are still heartbreaking. This is only autumn, and winter brings with it storms of upset and fear.

Track 5–Winter Woman.

It’s winter time.

​So used to rejection and manipulation from men, RAYE becomes ‘The Winter Woman’, constantly hiding her pain behind silk dresses, long fur gowns and drinking away her misery. She knows someday she will be better, but for now, she is ‘sad and beautiful’. She will be known and recognisable for her pain and misery, but by dressing up, she pretends everything is okay.

​The orchestral instrumentation is back once again, giving Escapism vibes. It is truly upsetting, as she prays for warmer days despite being in the middle of July in fur coats–to her, it seems the warm days will never come, despite telling herself they will come, over and over again.

​The reference to Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland likens her to ‘The Queen of Hearts’, alluding to a hatred of everyone and wanting them to be ‘beheaded’. She isolates herself from others, yet strives to become remembered through her appearance in society.

​And then Vivaldi’s ‘Winter’ phases in, showing the true feeling behind her persona. She is struggling and is hiding it behind this persona. All of these links to different media show RAYE’s true appreciation for the arts and how they all add meaning to the piece that really elevates it.

​This song is amazing, but you can’t help but wish for her to improve and see the summer. As we know, summer comes at the end, and we are stuck in the January blues, unable to see the end. However, RAYE has a way to overcome this…

Track 6–Click Clack Symphony. (feat. Hans Zimmer)

Hans Zimmer?! Okay, get ready.

This song describes that despite the pain RAYE goes through, she can find herself in the emotional support of her friends. Sometimes, instead of being trapped in the house, we should all get dressed and go have fun with our friends. And that is what the click clack sound is: the sound of a group of friends in heels marching down the pavement towards the club.

While she is happy in the presence of her friends, the pain associated with her troubles still permeates. In the bridge, we hear the notes of Vivaldi’s ‘Winter’ again, proving that the struggles are still present in the moment, but we find solace in the company of friends and fun. By the song’s conclusion, RAYE tells herself it will all be alright, and that the pain just shows us we are alive and human. And then Zimmer’s instrumental.

Chills. Absolute chills. Music brings us hope and a reason to live. The wonder we experience through life is here, and is found through that connection with each other. We will survive, and while we are in this moment of self-doubt, we will overcome it. Throughout RAYE’s music, despite the hard-hitting lyrics and reality that permeates through each moment, hope is, indeed, present. It is a relatable pain, and that is on purpose, for this is a message to everyone to keep on going. See your friends and go have fun.

This message is perfect timing for the next track. Prepare the tissues.

Track 7–I Know You’re Hurting.

I Know You’re Hurting is the emotional gut-punch of the album. Calling out to us, the listeners, RAYE sees the pain we all hide within and how we pretend that everything is okay. But we struggle when we don’t tell anyone, and we suffer in silence. RAYE brings attention to this pain and brings it to the surface, allowing us to actively feel our pain in a space where it is okay to cry. I fear it is impossible to listen to this song without at least holding back the tears.

The music brings those chills to the surface again and makes the emotion more poignant. It is beautiful, it is heartbreaking, but also strong. It shows us despite our moments of silence and quiet, that we always rise above our pain and see the other side. RAYE is the friend we need during our moment of hurt, and this song is that push to keep going.​

Created for a friend, this song feels incredibly personal to every person listening, and if it is not relevant to you now, then this song will be waiting for you when you need it most. Because that is how life is, it’s not perfect and linear. It is like a rollercoaster, dragging us through the ups and downs. So when RAYE says ‘don’t give up on your life’, she calls to you, telling you that you will see whatever you are going through on the other side.

She ends the song with ‘it’s gonna be okay’, a speech she gave in the show when she said her mum used to repeat this mantra over and over again until she believed it. Because sometimes just telling yourself that will help you realise that it is the truth.

This song is tear-jerking, heartbreaking, but also wonderful. And look at that. We’ve come through the most emotionally devastating songs of the album. It is time to rejoice, and have a party after struggling through our emotions.

Track 8–Life Boat.

Life Boat sees RAYE back to her music roots with her presence in the club music genre. With repetitive lyrics and a booming bass, this song is the party we need after listening through emotionally devastating songs.

​RAYE repetitively chants ‘I’m not giving up yet.’, because despite the struggles we have faced, with rejection, grief, and a lack of motivation, there is still a way forward and we are going to find it. Spoken tracks of many people shouting, saying, crying ‘I’m not giving up yet’ makes it ring true. We are invited to chant it along with her, and have fun, living in the fact that we are going to survive whatever we are going through.

​The music is uplifting , full of energy and rings true the promise repeated throughout the entire song. So dance, jump, sing along–make yourself know that this isn’t your time to give up. RAYE will be right there with you as you dance with your grief and transform it into hope. An amazing song for whenever you need it most.

​And with that, the cold is wearing off, the flowers are blooming. Welcome to spring. We’ve made it.

Track 9–I Hate The Way I Look Today.

But of course, struggles do not stay confined to one moment of the year.

​This song highlights the problems some may face when looking in the mirror and how they aren’t happy with the body they’ve been given. They wish they could trade places with others, pay to rearrange different parts, analysing every single part of their body.

​The music contradicts the self-loathing lyrics, as it is an upbeat jazz number. However, by the song’s conclusion, we hear RAYE chastising herself for being too negative and acknowledging that she must repeat her mantras until she believes them. She says that ‘it isn’t as simple as it sounds’, but to change this frame of view, it is key to first change the way you talk about yourself. Through optimism and correction, giving yourself compliments and not being so hard on yourself, RAYE says that you will see yourself better.

​Already in spring, we have a newfound sense of hope, with songs having these repeating mantras to repeat to yourself whenever you are struggling. And while ‘I hate the way I look today’ is repeated again and again and again, it is replaced by a new phrase: ‘She’ll like the way she looks today.’ This indicates that the process won’t be immediate, but through constant repetition and changing your frame of mind, the change will come, and you will feel better for it.

​Also, as a massive jazz fan, I absolutely adore this song. I love the amount of jazz influence this album has, it is a real breath of fresh air.

​Also also, yes, go have a cup of tea.

Track 10–Goodbye Henry. (feat. Al Green)

RAYE tells us from the beginning that this is a ‘sad song’.

​This song tells the story of a break-up with a man RAYE calls ‘Henry’. She speaks about him with politeness and positivity, and while he drinks too much, it seems a relationship she really treasured and is sad to see leave. But she does not leave him with anger or ill-will: this relationship is just one that didn’t work out this time, and they’ve separated, wishing each other the best.

​So, yes, while break-ups are sad, they both seem to agree it is for the best, and with this acceptance, happiness and self-love comes in.

​Al Green’s feature is such a wonderful section of the song, telling the story of heartbreaks and regrets that he has. But in the face of all of this, it gets better, accepting that loss is just a part of life, and it is up to you to take this loss, hold it dear, and treasure it as a memory you love. These experiences of loss make us who we are, and through letting go and wishing people best, we feel relief and self-worth.

​This song is a piece for acceptance, and is a wonderful reminder when events can get us down extra hard. What a wonderful feature and a wonderful message.

Track 11–Nightingale Lane.

Spring once again brings a song about heartbreak and letting go of those you love.

​Here, RAYE’s memories of Nightingale Lane are invasive, reminding her of the biggest heartbreak she’s ever had. While this was a few years in the past, she still feels the ache in her present day. Sometimes, it is harder to let go and accept what has happened. This following Goodbye Henry is really poignant, showing her regret and heartbreak aren’t linear or the same between people. There are those heartbreaks that take longer to recover from, and this is one of those.

​But these relationships also teach more about yourself. Here, RAYE reflects on how this relationship has helped her realise that she will love again, and how while it is hard to get over, she did, and she will see that future. It is not weak to reflect on times that were hard for you, it is healthy. And that is what RAYE teaches through this song.

​The orchestra at the end hammers home this message. It seems in this album that when RAYE has messages she really wants you to listen to, the music hits louder, forcing you to listen. Here, she demands you tell yourself that someone will love you in the future, and that time will come soon, so to not rush your grief and recovery, let yourself reflect and figure out who you are from these experiences. And accept that yes, while it hurt, it was a moment that made you who you are and made you stronger.

​RAYE’s messages from these songs are so personal and so beautiful. Each song is tailor made to a different life experience, and each end with a message of hope.

Track 12–Skin and Bones.

This is probably my favourite on the album. The vibes are immaculate and are good to dance to, but once again, the lyrics cut deep, and this time, they call out a man who only wants to be with a woman for their body, but no relationship.

​This reflection of the dating sphere shows an intense bore towards trying to find a relationship to settle down into, but then only finding people who want your body. The chorus outlining different parts of the body but then saying there is ‘no brain’ outlines this annoyance spectacularly, as it is rhythmic and fun to bop to, and then shocks you back to reality with the ‘no brain’. This dehumanising of women into separate body parts in a listing form is a great way of delivering the message.

​The song portrays this deep desire for a ‘gentleman’, so much so that when her date texts to cancel the dinner, she does not let it ruin her evening, and instead goes on to find someone else. RAYE has accepted the ways of the dating sphere now, and will just move onto the next person despite the rejection. The transition from the beginning of the album is poignant, as she has gone from someone heavily affected by rejection to someone who just brushes it off.

​We are moving into summer, people! We’re finally here! We have delved through our heartbreak, cried, grieved, and now it is our time to shine. These songs in spring have reconnected us with ourselves, and now, let’s party!

Track 13–WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!

With the coming of summer, RAYE knows exactly who she is and what she wants, and she yearns for a husband. Not a one-off romance, or a fling: she wants that committed relationship.

​This song took the world by storm last year, and it is easy to see why. The brass is loud, the tempo is fast, and the vibes are high! No more are we going on dating apps or going out in the streets to find men, RAYE wants her husband to come to her and now.

​Interestingly, this version of the song is different from the single, as in the final verse, added brass is punctuated before the ‘I would like a ring’ section, really adding that punch to the lyrics the song is built on. The song is more alive than ever before, and with the songs before it, we have earned this song. There is no room in this song for loss or sadness, it is a song full of demand and want. We have gone through our self improvement and heartbreak, give RAYE’s husband to her now!

Track 14–Fields. (feat. Grandad Michael)

This song is so sweet, an acceptance of the self brings awareness to the people we have perhaps left behind. And so, by reconnecting with the people around us, we are thus reconnecting with the life we love.

​Hearing RAYE sing with her grandad is such a beautiful note. She knows who she is, the pain she has gone through and looks to how she will go through the future, and this comes with the realisation that soon, the people around her will pass away, so she will do everything to immortalise her family through her work. She includes a spoken monologue from him, saying how he still feels lonely in a crowded room, but always remembers his little girl.

​No matter how big RAYE gets, she will always be loved by her family, and she will always look up to them. So with this song they sing together, it really encourages us to talk to our families more. Maybe invite them for coffee, or just have a phone call. For not only does it make their day better, it makes ours better too.

​And like Grandad Michael says, ‘Music is medicine.’ RAYE’s music is helping us heal and understand ourselves better than ever before. And this is only highlighted through the next song.

Track 15–Joy. (feat. Amma and Absolutely)

You can’t listen to this song without being prepared to dance along.

​We have come to the last few songs, and we must party! We have gone through heartbreak, and now we have reached Joy. In an acceptance of the pain we have endured, we ‘declare there will be joy’. No matter how much we cry through the night or are stuck in a lull, we will come out the other end and be better off for it.

​RAYE features her two sisters Amma and Absolutely in this song too (more of them in my tour review, too!) and here we have a full celebration of life and the joy we feel when around the people we love. We dance and shout and sing because we have made it, and this song is perfect in making us feel that joy. That is the power of RAYE’s album: it has made us feel all of the emotions through her lyrics, music, and tone. She is such a powerful influence, and this song is no exception. I can see this being popular on TikTok.

​The music is loud, forcing us to listen once again, and we hear that there WILL be joy! It is perfect for beginning the last few songs of the album, and for really encapsulating that summer experience.

Track 16–Happier Times Ahead.

Throughout the album, RAYE has focused her emotion on her own experiences of pain and fear, and with her true acceptance and love of herself, she now turns to the stories of others.

Through this, we see that everyone experiences pains that are hidden, so we can never presume what others around us are going through. From heartbreak, to loss, to lack of motivation, we all may be struggling in some capacity. However, as we get to the chorus, RAYE tells us, ‘happier times are ahead.’ By the song’s conclusion, she tells her to say it along with her. She is helping guide us through our pain through uplifting music and an acceptance of everyone’s experience. She doesn’t diminish anyone’s experience, and instead is open to it all, giving everyone the same message. ‘It’s going to be okay. Happier times are ahead. Keep on going.’

The vibes are high, and that helps us feel great in ourselves. The emotions these songs portray easily infect us and make us feel the same way. Summer is truly the season for self-love.

Track 17–Fin.

And the final song. Congrats to everyone for making it.

​RAYE even congratulates us, saying she had hoped we’d make it, and hopes that we had found this experience beautiful.

​At the end, she wishes us the best, and hopes that we did find hope in this album, and, quite hilariously but also importantly, if you didn’t then listen to the album again! I found hope, and will be replaying for a good while to come.

​The music emulates the old credits of cinematic movies, with a beautiful orchestra that encapsulates a congratulations for getting to this point. And in true credits fashion, she lists off every. Single. Person. Who worked on the album.

​Incredible. 10/10. No notes.

​In the age of AI, we need more recognition for those in the arts, especially as we are told over and over again that the arts aren't important. But, as RAYE has done, this music has brought us hope. It has told us it is okay to feel, and with the help of all the people listed, we learnt this. So while RAYE lists off every single contributor to this project, thank them.

Conclusion

We made it. RAYE has taken us on an incredible journey through pain, misery, grief, loss, and we have come out the other end.

​If you have ever struggled with mental health at any point in your life, then listen to this album. Because if you have ever felt that you can’t keep going, then you have gotten through the utter heartbreak these songs hold in the winter and come out the other end, smiling.

​This is an incredible album by RAYE, one that should be repeated for years and years to come. The music is spectacular, the performance incredible, and the meaning so profound it will affect those who listen to it for the better.

​Everyone, of course, may interpret this album differently based on their own experiences. This was my interpretation, and it was such a beautiful album.

If you need support, then reach out to any of these numbers below.