This Music May Contain Hope

デビューアルバムをリリースした翌年の2024年、ブリットアワード史上最多ノミネートで世界を驚かせたUK次世代の歌姫、Rayeが放つニューアルバム『THIS MUSIC MAY CONTAIN HOPE.』。

4つの“季節”をテーマにしたアルバムは、レコード盤の各面で異なる季節を表現。 暗闇から始まり、光の下へと導かれる音による旅へとリスナーを誘ってくれる。

If it wasnt apparent from her performances in support of My 21st Century Blues, including a date at the Royal Albert Hall with the Heritage Orchestra, or the grand Glastonbury 2025 premiere of "Where Is My Husband!," Raye leaves no doubt with her second album that her musical vision is of epic scale. This Music May Contain Hope verges on fantasia. A proper double album, its four sides are based thematically on the seasons, starting with autumn, though its essentially all about recovery from a breakup, a struggle with self-worth, and resilience. It careens with great velocity from style to style: orchestral pop, brash big band and sullen blues, Aretha-indebted soul, lean and moody contemporary R&B, power ballads, and straightforward dance-pop, among other idioms. Songs change direction more often than they do on the debut. Raye affirms that shes a virtuosic vocal dynamo, belting, crooning, and providing spoken exposition, and even her lowest moments of self-abasement are related with clever wordplay showcasing her flexibility. For all the bereft emoting and chemical self-medication that occurs throughout the sequence, Rayes desire to soothe, heal, and instill hope in broken-hearted listeners is apparent. The hurtling and impressively delivered "Where Is My Husband!" is the main attraction -- a U.K. number one pop hit before release -- but most enlivening of all is "Click Clack Symphony," a duly theatrical Hans Zimmer collaboration in which the protagonist breaks free from self-isolation to whisk her friends out for a restorative night on the tiles. Al Green makes a rare appearance to offer some sympathetic philosophy on "Goodbye Henry," while Raye brings out her grandfather, songwriter Michael Keen, to join in on "Fields," a reflective ballad with a touch of gospel. Rayes sisters add to the family affair with secondary vocals on the galloping and triumphant "Joy." ~ Andy Kellman