Raye’s New Album Arrives After Battle with Former Label
British singer-songwriter Raye has released her second studio album, This Music May Contain Hope, following a highly publicized dispute with her former record label, Polydor. The album’s arrival marks a significant moment for the artist, who gained prominence with guest vocals on Jonas Blue’s 2016 hit “By Your Side” and later with her project Euphoric Sad Songs (2020), which featured the UK top-ten single “Secrets”.
Raye independently released her debut studio album, My 21st Century Blues (2023), to critical acclaim after allegedly being prevented from releasing it by Polydor Records. The album’s third single, “Escapism,” became her first song to top the UK singles chart and enter the US Billboard Hot 100, gaining significant traction on social media. This success signaled a turning point in her career and highlighted the growing power of independent artists.
The artist’s talent was further recognized at the Brit Awards 2024, where she broke records by winning six categories, including British Artist of the Year. She also became the first female recipient of the Brit Award for Songwriter of the Year. Raye also received three nominations at the Grammy Awards 2025, including Best New Artist and Songwriter of the Year, Non-Classical.
Following the release of My 21st Century Blues, Raye released the single “Where Is My Husband!” in 2025, which topped the UK charts for a second time and reached the top five in several other countries. The new album is already generating buzz, with some critics describing it as an “audiospektakel” and others noting its ambitious scope, though some have found it to be somewhat overwhelming.
Born Rachel Agatha Keen on October 24, 1997, Raye is a multi-talented artist known for her work as a singer, songwriter, and record producer. More information about Raye can be found on her official website and her YouTube channel, which features her latest music video, “Click Clack Symphony” featuring Hans Zimmer.
