In a world where artists are constantly criticized for playing it safe, it’s refreshing to see an artist like RAYE shatter boundaries with ease. On the third-person perspective number “The Girl Under The Grey Cloud.,” RAYE announces that “A perfect storm was brewing.” This becomes clear with each track as varying as British weather. 

“WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!,” an anthemic pop big-band number, dropped last September and was the first taste of this LP. There’s a short and sweet declaration from RAYE’s grandma who politely adds, “Your husband is coming.” The rest of the record explores even more of these soundbites.

Unexpected Dance-EDM banger “Life Boat.” is one example. Its vocal performance and instrumental are strong when given the chance, but the pace changes and over 50 mentions of “I’m not giving up yet” make it difficult to fully connect. Elsewhere, other genres are explored, from the fluctuating rock-ballad “I Know You’re Hurting.” to the live jazz offering “I Hate The Way I Look Today.”

Crowd pleaser “Happier Times Ahead.” is an easy-listening tune while “Skin & Bones.” is a funk-leaning piece with call and response lines like “Two eyes and a liver / And a nose and no brain.” Through these tracks, RAYE takes audiences on a musical journey spanning decades while ensuring her authenticity prevails with cheeky nods like, “Everyone have a cup of tea today” and “There’s always happier times ahead darlin.”

Although this LP is categorized as a pop release, it’s more of a poetry audio book soundtracked by a live orchestra. She closes the project with “I hope inside this you find something beautiful,” and you indeed do, as each track offers something undeniably fresh. RAYE is a risk-taker, and it never goes unnoticed.