An Independent RAYE

When RAYE released her debut album ‘My 21^st Century Blues’ at the beginning of 2023, I didn’t think it could get much better. Having barely registered that this artist was responsible for a plethora of successful but forgettable dance hits throughout the 2010s, RAYE’s independently released debut album was something entirely different. Sixteen tracks brimming with charisma, vulnerability and power, RAYE commands your attention with her heavenly, jazz-inflected vocals, sweet South London accent and unflinching lyrics.

‘My 21^st Century Blues’ was the product of years of mistreatment within the music industry. Reflecting with Louis Theroux, RAYE suggests: “commerce and artistry don’t always align”, and the years of limitation, exploitation and assault RAYE suffered certainly indicate serious misconduct from her ex-label Polydor Records. The subsequent impact of RAYE’s experiences on her music is immeasurable and the confessional honestly her debut album exudes is a testament to her tenacity.

Side note: Her newly-released EP ‘Gensis’ and the accompanying music video is incredible and deserves its own article so I won’t cover it here, but you should definitely check it out – the music video especially.

Has Live Music Changed Expectations?

However, whilst ‘My 21^st Century Blues’ demanded instant recognition, this album – in my eyes – was nothing more than an overture to ‘My 21^st Century Symphony’. This live rendition, recorded at The Royal Albert Hall and released in October 2023, is so much more than just an album, it is an experience.

The problem with albums now is that recorded sound has just gotten way too good. Sitting in a studio in dead silence, listening with a pair of five-hundred quid headphones and the ability to tweak each sound to perfection has posed a threat to the art of live performances. As listeners, we’re in danger of comparing these experiences, when in reality, a recorded studio album and a live album are two entirely different art forms. In my opinion, studio-recorded albums are designed to show you the technical potential of an artist, familiarise you with their work and establish a relationship with that music. Alternatively, live albums are removed from the professionalism of studio work and are imbued with the unrehearsed personality of the artist, creating a more familiar relationship to the artist beyond their curated work. Live albums are charismatic, their purpose is to personally invite you to create an intimate connection to the sound. Although I’ve heard countless tales of how The Arctic Monkeys were shit live or the bass at AJ Tracy was far too intense, this minimises the distinct experience and closeness you can feel to an artist after seeing them live. Personally, I’ve seen enough gigs in which the band’s stage presence, their sheer joy for performing and the anecdotes that accompany a night out completely override any mic bleeds or overly loud guitars. That being said, on a day-to-day basis, I err away from live albums; it’s simply enjoyable to hear a track the way the artist intended you to.

An Album Made To Be Played Live

So, with all that in mind, I believe RAYE’s ‘My 21^st Century Blues’ was an album made to be performed live. Re-titled ‘My 21^st Century Symphony’ and accompanied by The Heritage Orchestra and thirty-piece gospel choir, Flames Collective, RAYE’s first live album delivers what a studio could not. The ferocious swelling of soulful, powerful voices, the seismic, cinematic drama of the internationally acclaimed orchestra, the raw, uninhibited performance from RAYE. All accompanied by the captivating, intoxicating screams of an audience who cares. The chemistry between RAYE and these live elements is simultaneously exquisitely intimate and explosively epic. This live recording finally captures a sound that is able to communicate the grandeur RAYE’s album possesses. The studio album buckles under the weight of being a mouthpiece for RAYE’s raw emotion. It is too controlled, too polished to reflect the vulnerability, the pain, the identity that is entangled in RAYE’s admissions of drug addiction, body dysmorphia, anxiety and fear. The live album articulates the authenticity of RAYE’s emotion in a way that ‘My 21st Century Blues’ could not and offers an auspicious insight into the ability of live performances. I adore journalist Sophie Walker’s description of ‘Black Mascara’ reaching “biblical levels of retribution” – it is just about able to capture the dramatics of this live performance.

Only a space as triumphant and imposing as The Royal Albert Hall could reflect the vision of ‘My 21^st Century Symphony’. There is nowhere to hide in a space as big as this, and so RAYE does not. Choir, strings, guitar, brass; all obediently curl around RAYE’s phenomenal performance, her radically powerful vocals confirming that the unbelievable number of accolades she has received since the release of her album are more than deserved.

Does Changing Genre Mean Changing Meaning?

This live album holds so much allure because it inherently transforms the genre of RAYE’s album without touching the personality laced within it. If I had to categorise ‘My 21^st Century Blues’, I’d say it is a complimentary mix of dance, electronic, R&B, blues and pop. In particular, tracks such as ‘Escapism’, ‘Hard Out Here’ and ‘Black Mascara’ appear to be a world away from the sound of a classical orchestra. ‘My 21^st Century Symphony’ challenges this idea. The collision of electronic dance pop with a classical orchestra brings the genius and versatility of RAYE’s artistry into sharp focus. She maintains the emotion and energy of her vocals, whilst allowing the dramatic presence of The Heritage Orchestra and choir to elevate her songs from euphoric dance tracks to operatic masterpieces. The recomposing of classical instruments on songs that are defined by their electronic elements demonstrates a commitment and mastery from RAYE and her team to uplift these tracks whilst maintaining their origins.

‘RAYE  At The Royal Albert Hall’

The overriding feeling present in both these albums is resistance. Despite the nature of the material being fundamentally dark, RAYE dictates how she will remaster these experiences. The performance of ‘My 21^st Century Symphony’ was recorded by the BBC. I strongly urge you to watch it. If the live album personalises RAYE, this short film only enhances this. RAYE’s personality is so at odds with the challenging, demanding nature of her music. She seems sweet, and embarrassed, giggly and enchanted with her opportunity to perform the live album. The respect between her, the choir and the orchestra create a feeling that is balanced, dignified and warm. I can’t help but be an instant admirer of this artist. An enthusiastic Reddit reviewer of the live album states; “Fucking generational this to be fair”, and I have to agree with them.

Conclusion

Whilst her debut album acquainted me with RAYE and invited me to appreciate her articulate dance tracks, this live album has made much more of an impact. ‘My 21^st Century Symphony’ is an unapologetic demonstration of RAYE’s potential, her passion and her refusal to be told what to do.

References

Cho, R. (2022) RAYE announces debut album titled ‘My 21st Century Blues.’ https://www.revolt.tv/article/2022-10-17/245053/raye-announces-my-21st-century-blues-debut-album.

Heritage Orchestra (2024) RAYE – Heritage Orchestra. https://theheritageorchestra.com/projects/raye/.

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/raye-my-21st-century-blues-live-album-1234855793/

Krol, C. (2023) RAYE: Unshackled. https://diymag.com/in-deep/raye-january-2023-interview.

Louis Theroux Interviews – Series 2: 4. RAYE (no date). https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001sx48/louis-theroux-interviews-series-2-4-raye.

Mokoena, T. (2023) ‘Raye: ‘I don’t want to be a pop star,’’ British GQ, 17 July. https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/raye-interview-2023.

Walker, S. (2023) ‘Raye review – a triumphant act of independence and naked ambition,’ The Guardian, 2 October. https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/sep/27/raye-review-royal-albert-hall-london.

Wikipedia contributors (2024b) Raye. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raye.