RAYE (photo: Callum Walker Hutchinson)I recently discovered one of the UK’s powerhouse new musical talents, RAYE, who’s released their highly anticipated debut album, My 21st Century Blues, a collection of heartfelt songs for everyone who has faced and overcome adversity.
In a press statement, RAYE says:
“My 21st Century Blues. My debut album. My ugly complex beautiful mosaic formed from broken pieces of glass from the last 7 years of my life. My medicine, my anxieties and traumas, my unfiltered thoughts.
This music accompanied me through my bluest blues, crafted unapologetically and fearlessly with love and tears, and now I can only hope it might provide the same medicine it did for me, for those who choose to listen.”
RAYE recently performed their #1 hit UK single, “Escapism.” featuring 070 Shake on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
“Escapism.” is a no-holds-barred tale of self-medication with drink, drugs and sex after heartbreak. The single has gone gold in the UK, Sweden, Norway, Australia, Finland, Denmark and New Zealand, Top 5 across Europe, and currently climbing the US Billboard Hot 100.
The music video, which takes a full-on wild ride through a night out, is terrific. But in an unusual twist for me, I found The Late Show live performance deeper and more personal.
RAYE begins at the piano with a stripped down, sparse accompaniment before launching into the meat of the song. And the connection with 070 Shake during the live turn is also palpable.
My 21st Century Blues is available now for download and streaming on all major music platforms. Follow the talented artist on Instagram here.
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