About

The journey to a debut album has been almost a decade long for British singer Rachel Keen, aka Raye. First coming to prominence with the EP Welcome to the Winter in 2014, she released pop-inflected collaborations with everyone from producer Jax Jones to Charli XCX, rapper Mr Eazi and house superstar David Guetta. A hit-making featured artist, Keen’s own solo material has been uneven, and in 2021 she provided a reason, alleging on social media that her record label, Polydor, had been holding back her first album for seven years.

The much-anticipated release of her debut LP, following her exit from Polydor, heralds Keen’s arrival as an independent artist. Her ear for a hook is apparent throughout its 15 tracks – on the thumping drums and bass-laden pulse of Escapism, the head-nodding house of "Black Mascara" and balladic crescendos of "Ice Cream Man" – while her vocals soar on the singalong chorus of "Oscar Winning Tears". There’s a touch of pastiche on the doo wop of "Thrill Is Gone", but overall the record showcases a self-assured songwriter, capable of producing swaggering floor-fillers. My 21st Century Blues is Keen’s artistic rebirth. Long may it continue. — (via The Guardian)

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Label: Human Re Sources
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Country: UK, Europe & US
Released: Feb 3, 2023
Genre: Electronic, Hip Hop, Pop
Style: Contemporary R&B, Dance-pop
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File under: Contemporary R&B