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My 21st Century Blues. - RAYE

My 21st Century Blues.

RAYE

2023

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About

My 21st Century Blues is the debut studio album by British singer-songwriter RAYE, released independently by Human Re Sources on February 3, 2023. It marked her first project after leaving Polydor Records, who allegedly denied her an album release for years. RAYE co-wrote and co-produced the album, collaborating with Mike Sabath, BloodPop, Punctual, and Di Genius. The album features guest appearances from 070 Shake and Mahalia. Inspired by 1970s music, the album blends house, pop, blues, dancehall, R&B, hip-hop, and jazz. It explores themes like drug addiction, body dysmorphia, and sexual assault. RAYE described the album as her "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".

Recording Info

Largely written and co-produced by RAYE, with additional production from Mike Sabath, BloodPop, Punctual, Di Genius, Luca Buccellati, and Pete Miller. Recorded between 2018 and 2022.

Track Highlights

  • Escapism — Features 070 Shake; went viral on TikTok and topped charts in the UK, Ireland, and Denmark
  • Ice Cream Man — A sentimental ballad where RAYE exposes repeated situations of sexual assault she had experienced since the age of seven
  • Hard Out Here — Confronts misogyny and patriarchy in the music industry

Personnel

Significance

My 21st Century Blues received universal acclaim from critics. The album debuted at number two on the UK Albums Chart. RAYE won British Album of the Year at the Brit Awards 2024. The album explores personal themes such as disordered eating, addictions, heartbreak, discrimination, and self-image. Critics have noted the album's raw vulnerability and RAYE's fearless approach to tackling difficult topics. The album is praised for its blend of genres and RAYE's ability to create a cohesive sound while exploring diverse musical styles.

The album's title was the starting point for the project, with RAYE deciding to "tell [her] blues" and be honest about things she had kept hidden for years.

Track List

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Credits

Performers

0070 Shake
070 Shakeguest, lead vocals (tr. 5)
EEddie Benjamin
Eddie Benjaminbass, guitar (tr. 12)
CCharlie Bisharat
Charlie Bisharatstrings (tr. 3)
JJacob Braun
Jacob Brauncello, strings (tr. 2, 3, 5, 6, 7)
GGianLuca Buccellati
GianLuca Buccellatidrums (tr. 12)
PPaul Cartwright
Paul Cartwrightviolin (tr. 2, 5, 6, 7)
J
Joshua Ciccelcrowd (tr. 1)
A
Alex Csillagtrombone (tr. 7)
S
Sean Deschampscello (tr. 13)
DDsharp
DsharpDerryck Christopher Gleaton (tr. 13)
J
Jenna Felsenthalcrowd (tr. 1)
T
Tia Fergusoncrowd, background vocals (tr. 1, 7)
JJohn Hill
John Hillsynth pad (tr. 13)
T
Tristan Hurdtrumpet (tr. 7, 13)
PPaul Keen
Paul Keencrowd (tr. 1)
A
Austin Lichtensteinvoice (tr. 1)
MMahalia
Mahalialead vocals (tr. 12)
TTim McKay
Tim McKaybari sax (tr. 7)
P
Pete Millerpiano, B3 (tr. 1, 14, 15)
T
The Moongirlsbass, drums, B3, Wurlitzer, guitar (tr. 7, 13)
RRAYE
RAYEcrowd, Raye (tr. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
MMike Sabath
Mike Sabathcrowd, bass, drums, piano, synths, mellotron, guitar, background vocals, vocal synths, strings (tr. 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
JJohn Sterling
John Sterlingcrowd (tr. 1)
A
Alex Youngtenor sax (tr. 7, 13)

Producers

GGianLuca Buccellati
GianLuca Buccellatiadditional (tr. 12)
SStephen "Di Genius" McGregor
Stephen "Di Genius" McGregorStephen McGregor (tr. 9)
P
Pete Milleradditional (tr. 12, 14, 15)
PPunctual
Punctualproducer (tr. 4)
RRAYE
RAYERaye (tr. 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 13, 14, 15)
MMike Sabath
Mike Sabathproducer, co (tr. 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)

Engineers

JJon Castelli
Jon Castellimix (tr. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
J
Josh Deguzmantask (tr. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
J
Jenna Felsenthaltask (tr. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
F
Franky Foxtask (tr. 1, 13)
C
Chad Gordonengineer, assistant (tr. 3, 6)
MMichael Harris
Michael Harrisassistant, task (tr. 1, 7, 13)
R
Robert Johnsonassistant (tr. 14, 15)
A
Adam Krevlinstring (tr. 2, 5, 6, 7, 13)
N
Nick Nonemanassistant (tr. 1, 13)
T
Travis Pavurassistant (tr. 7)
AAlex Robinson
Alex Robinsontask (tr. 12)
MMike Sabath
Mike Sabathtask, engineer (tr. 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15)

Other

MMike Sabath
Mike Sabathstring, horn (tr. 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 13)

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