music
March 23, 2026
Raye: This Music May Contain Hope review
(Human Re Sources)Almost overstuffed with musical ideas, the singer’s second studio album can be self-indulgent and messy, but it’s a heartfelt and exuberant grand statement from an artist determined to go her own way
TL;DR
- Raye's second album, "This Music May Contain Hope," is a 17-track, 73-minute concept album exploring emotional breakdown and personal struggles.
- The album features a wide range of musical styles including retro soul, swing-era jazz, house music, showtunes, and 50s easy-listening.
- Notable guest features include soul legend Al Green and composer Hans Zimmer.
- While praised for its ambition and Raye's vocal performance, the album is critiqued for occasional self-indulgence and excessive spoken-word elements.
- Highlights like "Nightingale Lane" and "WhatsApp Shakespeare" demonstrate the album's exciting and theatrical musicality.
- The album is considered a rare, risk-averse artistic statement in the current music climate.