RAYE's Debut Album, 'My 21st Century Blues,' is a Masterpiece That's Been a Long Time Coming

You most likely know her from her hit single, “Escapism.”—which went viral on TikTok and reached number one on the UK Singles Chart and 22 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart—but Rachel Keen (known professionally as RAYE) is so much more than a one-hit-wonder. The British artist of Ghanian-Swiss descent independently—through Human Re Sources—released her debut album My 21st Century Blues on February 3 to critical acclaim. Produced by Keen, Mike Sabath, Punctual, BloodPop, and Di Genius, the album comes after a very long journey for the artist.

'My 21st Century Blues' by RAYE Released by Human Re Sources

Signed to Polydor records in her teens, RAYE was forced into creating music she didn’t feel connected to. Detailing her time with the record label, she told Amel Mukhtar for British Vogue that “[she] was being cut off from [her] roots. But [she’d] talk to male peers and find out that they had more creative control” (RAYE, Amel Mukhtar for British Vogue, 2023).

When she parted ways with the company in 2021, she was determined to release the music she had been sitting on for years… Seven, to be exact. Making a statement with her first independent single, “Hard Out Here.”, she fired shots at Polydor, singing about finally being able to write and create what she hadn’t been able to previously.

My 21st Century Blues is an extension of this breakthrough for RAYE, detailing her struggle with mental health, addiction, body dysmorphia, and sexual assault. Songs “Ice Cream Man.” and “Body Dysmorphia.” are the rawest and most honest an artist has possibly ever been. This kind of storytelling is incredibly important, especially for young girls and women who have or are experiencing similar circumstances. Whereas “Environmental Anxiety.” describes the impact we’ve had on climate change, but also touches on the detrimental impact of social media and corrupt politics and systems.

Throughout the 15-track album, her vocals soar through bass-thumping R&B tunes on “Five Star Hotels.” featuring Mahalia, catchy dance beats on “Black Mascara.”, and Amy Winehouse-esque jazz on “The Thrill is Gone.”. Although sometimes hard to listen to (due to the heavy subject matter), the album is a mismatched masterpiece of songs she has written over the years.

If nothing else, RAYE's story is a worrying testament to the way female artists are treated in the music industry. As a vulnerable teenager looking to make it in music, she was taken advantage of and promised more than could be offered. Her debut album was a powerful leap into her new chapter of music, proving that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Finally, RAYE can create music that feels true to herself.