My 21st Century Blues
My 21st Century Blues | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | 3 February 2023 | |||
Studio | A log cabin in Utah[1] | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 46:48 | |||
Label | Human Re Sources | |||
Producer | ||||
Raye chronology | ||||
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Singles from My 21st Century Blues | ||||
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My 21st Century Blues is the debut studio album by English singer and songwriter
Spawned by the release of several singles "
The album debuted at number two on the UK Albums Chart with 15,516 units, becoming her first top ten album in the UK.[8] It charted in over 13 other territories, including reaching number 58 on the US Billboard 200. It was nominated for "Best Independent Album" at the AIM Independent Music Awards, and also shortlisted for "Album of the Year" at the 2023 Mercury Prize.[9] In 2024, it won British Album of the Year at the Brit Awards,[10] in which it re-entered the UK Albums Chart the following week at #5.[11]
Background
In an interview for
"Some of these songs have helped me process. I had just been needing to hear them in a more beautiful form. Like "Body Dysmorphia," it sounds so ugly in my head, but when you put it into that song, it makes it a little bit easier for me to digest. A lot of these stories are very medicinal and very raw and therapeutic for me. I think it's been really important for me to take it there, as hard as it's been sometimes."
Raye also talked about the first time she self directed a video for the song "Ice Cream Man" which details her experience with sexual assault. My 21st Century Blues also features tracks that were written by Raye from previous years, with many songs being cut from the final tracklist because they didn't fit the theme of the album.[12]
Release and promotion
In September 2022, Raye went on BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge to perform "Black Mascara" and a cover of Kate Bush's "Running Up That Hill".[13] On 13 October 2022, Raye announced the project on her social media along with the release of the songs "Escapism" and "The Thrill Is Gone". Following the dual release, Raye performed both songs on Later... with Jools Holland.[14] Raye later performed "The Thrill Is Gone" on The Graham Norton Show.[15]
Singles
On 30 June 2022, Raye released the lead single "Hard Out Here", which was her first independent release following her separation from
Tours
This section needs to be updated.(January 2024) |
In support of the album, Raye embarked on a mini tour in October and November 2022 entitled The Story So Far, which marked her first headlining shows in Europe and North America. The tour consisted of an acoustic, intimate setting with a seated audience and Raye discussing her career in between performances of her discography in chronological order.[citation needed] This was followed by the My 21st Century Blues tour, which commenced in February 2023.[20] A second European leg was announced in January and commenced in November 2023.[21]
Live album and concert film
On 16 October 2023, Raye released the
Critical reception
Aggregate scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
AnyDecentMusic? | 7.6/10[24] |
Metacritic | 82/100[25] |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
Clash | 6/10[26] |
DIY | [27] |
Dork | [28] |
Financial Times | [29] |
The Guardian | [2] |
The Independent | [30] |
The Line of Best Fit | 7/10[31] |
NME | [32] |
Pitchfork | 6.6/10[33] |
The Telegraph | [34] |
My 21st Century Blues was met with universal acclaim by music critics, receiving a score of 82 out of 100 on review aggregator Metacritic.[25] Aggregator AnyDecentMusic? gave it 7.6 out of 10, based on their assessment of the critical consensus.[24] Writing for Clash, Alex Rigotti felt that "In her haste to tell her story, "My 21st Century Blues" suffers from a frenzied second half that cushions the gut-punch it could have been".[26] Hayley Milross of The Line of Best Fit writes that "My 21st Century Blues will be labelled as an iconic debut" and that "the album has excellent high points [which are] tracks that showcase what brought Raye to the forefront in the first place."[31] Ben Tipple from DIY states that the record "[are] mirroring Raye's desire to explore all facets of herself, and it is autobiographical to its core, whether touching on heartbreak, discrimination, or distorted self-image."[27] Neive McCarthy of Dork called Raye "unstoppable on her latest offering" and added that she's "tackling every hardship that has befallen her of late and doing so with smooth, jazz-leaning vocals and slick beats."[28]
In a positive review for The Guardian, Alexis Petridis writes that "Whatever its failings, though, there's enough in the way of potential hit singles – moreover, potential hit singles with attitude and character to spare – on Raye's debut to ensure that her current success amounts to more than a sympathy vote or a flash in the pan."[2]
Year-end lists
Critic/Publication | List | Rank | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|
Esquire | Best Albums of 2023 | — | [35] |
Variety | Best Albums of 2023 | — | [36] |
Consequence | Best Albums of 2023 | — | [37] |
Track listing
No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Introduction" | Rachel Keen |
| Mike Sabath | 0:57 |
2. | "Oscar Winning Tears" | Keen |
| Sabath | 3:03 |
3. | "Hard Out Here" |
|
| Sabath | 3:11 |
4. | "Black Mascara" | Keen |
| Punctual | 3:59 |
5. | "Escapism" (featuring 070 Shake) |
| Sabath | 4:32 | |
6. | "Mary Jane" | Keen |
|
| 3:52 |
7. | "The Thrill Is Gone" |
|
|
| 3:19 |
8. | "Ice Cream Man" | Keen |
|
| 4:08 |
9. | "Flip a Switch" | Keen |
|
| 3:21 |
10. | "Body Dysmorphia" | Keen |
| Sabath | 2:33 |
11. | "Environmental Anxiety" |
|
|
| 3:14 |
12. | "Five Star Hotels" (featuring Mahalia) |
|
|
| 3:24 |
13. | "Worth It" |
|
|
| 4:06 |
14. | "Buss It Down" |
|
|
| 2:36 |
15. | "Fin" | Keen | Keen |
| 0:33 |
Notes
- All tracks are stylized with a stop at the end
Personnel
Adapted from album liner notes.
- Raye – vocals, songwriting (2–15); production (6–9, 11, 13–15); background vocals (7, 12–14); string and horn arranging (13)
- Mike Sabath – production (1–3, 5–15); songwriting (2, 3, 5–8, 10–14); engineering (5, 6, 8–11, 14, 15); piano (2, 6, 8); bass (2, 6, 8, 11, 12, 14); drums (2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 11, 12); synthesizer (2, 3, 5, 8, 10, 11); string arranging (2, 3, 5–7, 13); Mellotron (5, 9); guitar (6–12); background vocals (7, 13, 14); horn arranging (7, 13); strings (12)
- Jenna Felsenthal – vocal engineering (2–15); songwriting (11)
- Pete Miller – songwriting, piano (1); production (12, 14, 15); piano, B3 (14, 15)
- Adam Krevlin – string engineer (2, 5–7, 13)
- The MoonGirls – drums, bass, Wurlitzer electronic piano, (7, 13); B3 (7); guitar (13)
- 070 Shake – vocals, songwriting (5)
- Mahalia – vocals, songwriting (12)
- Franky Fox – engineering (1, 13)
- Jacob Braun – cello (2, 3, 5–7)
- Paul Cartwright – violin (2, 5–7)
- Austin Lichtenstein – songwriting, voice (1)
- Tia Ferguson – background vocals (1, 7)
- Justin Tranter – songwriting (3)
- Brandon Colbein – songwriting (3)
- Charlie Bisharat – strings (3)
- Punctual – songwriting, production (4)
- Anton Göransson – songwriting (7)
- Isabella Sjostrand – songwriting (7)
- Michael Harris – engineering (7, 13)
- Tristan Hurd – trumpet (7, 13)
- Alex Young – tenor saxophone (7, 13)
- Alex Csillag – trombone (7)
- Tim Mckay – baritone sax (7)
- BloodPop – songwriting (8)
- Di Genius – songwriting, production (9)
- Eddie Benjamin – songwriting, guitar, bass (12)
- Kennedi Lykken – songwriting (12)
- Alex Robinson – vocal engineering (12)
- Luca Buccellati – production, drums (12)
- John Hill – songwriting, synthesizer (13)
- Akil “Fresh” King – songwriting (13)
- Sean Deschamps – cello (13)
- DSharp – violin (13)
- Eyelar Mirazazadek – songwriting (14)
- Antoinette Smith – songwriting (14)
- Jon Castelli – mixing (all tracks)
- Dale Becker – mastering (all tracks)
Charts
Chart (2023–2024) | Peak position |
---|---|
Australian Albums (ARIA)[38] | 97 |
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[39] | 38 |
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[40] | 139 |
Canadian Albums (Billboard)[41] | 25 |
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[42] | 30 |
French Albums ( SNEP)[43]
|
97 |
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[44] | 34 |
Irish Albums (OCC)[45] | 13 |
Lithuanian Albums (AGATA)[46] | 80 |
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[47] | 34 |
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)[48] | 16 |
Scottish Albums (OCC)[49] | 4 |
Spanish Albums (PROMUSICAE)[50] | 95 |
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[51] | 17 |
UK Albums (OCC)[52] | 2 |
UK Independent Albums (OCC)[53] | 1 |
US Billboard 200[54] | 58 |
US Independent Albums (Billboard)[55] | 8 |
Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
New Zealand (RMNZ)[56] | Gold | 7,500‡ |
United Kingdom (BPI)[57] | Gold | 100,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
Release history
Region | Date | Format | Label | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
Various | 3 February 2023 | Human Re Sources | [58][59] |
References
- ^ Richards, Will (6 January 2023). "RAYE talks scoring UK Number One single with 'Escapism': "It's the ultimate validation"". NME.
- ^ a b c Petridis, Alexis (2 February 2023). "Raye: My 21st Century Blues review – major label escapee makes revenge taste sweet". The Guardian. Retrieved 9 February 2023.
Her confident DIY debut, mixing house, pop, blues and dancehall, is a vindication
- ^ "The Smashing Pumpkins, Peach PRC & More: This Week's Best New Music". The Music. 3 February 2023. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
- ^ "Spotify". Spotify.
- ^ a b "RAYE announces debut album titled 'My 21st Century Blues'". REVOLT. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
- ^ a b "Raye announces debut album 'My 21st Century Blues'". DIY. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
- ^ Willman, Chris; Aswad, Jem; Garcia, Thania (29 June 2023). "The 20 Best Albums of the Year (So Far)". Variety. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
- ^ Paine, Andre (22 February 2023). "Escape plan: Raye's artist services team on the ascent of a 'global superstar'". Music Week. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
- ^ Snapes, Laura (27 July 2023). "Mercury Prize 2023: Arctic Monkeys tie Radiohead's record for most nominations". The Guardian. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
- ^ Heching, Dan (2 March 2024). "Brit Awards 2024: See who won". CNN. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
- ^ "RAYE experiences massive chart uplift following record-breaking BRITs wins". Official Charts. 8 March 2024. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
- ^ Mier, Tomás (1 February 2023). "Raye Is Brutally Honest and Finally in Control on Her Debut Album that was considered her authentic self. Getting There Wasn't Easy". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
- ^ Skinner, Tom (8 September 2022). "Check out RAYE's haunting cover of Kate Bush's 'Running Up That Hill'". NME. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
- ^ "Guests for Later… with Jools Holland tonight have been confirmed". www.nationalworld.com. 15 October 2022. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
- ^ "Find out who's on The Graham Norton Show tonight". Darlington and Stockton Times. 20 January 2023. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
- ^ Magnocavallo, Fabio (1 July 2022). "RAYE – Hard Out Here". EUPHORIA. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
- ^ Mier, Tomás (1 July 2022). "Raye Is 'Done Being a Nice Polite Pop Star' as She Debuts Unapologetic Comeback". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
- ^ "RAYE unveils new single "Black Mascara"". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
- ^ "RAYE delivers new tracks "Escapism." featuring 070 Shake and "The Thrill Is Gone."". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
- ^ Olaroya, Ezra (3 February 2023). "RAYE Drops Much-Anticipated Debut Album 'My 21st Century Blues'". Complex. Complex Networks. Archived from the original on 3 March 2023. Retrieved 2 March 2023.
- ^ Carter, Antwine (3 February 2023). "Raye Mocks Old Record Label While Promoting 'My 21st Century Blues' Debut Album". Hyperfresh. Archived from the original on 3 March 2023. Retrieved 2 March 2023.
- ^ Jones, Simon. "'RAYE with The Heritage Orchestra - My 21st Century Symphony'". Press Party. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
- ^ "RAYE at the Royal Albert Hall". BBC One. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
- ^ a b "Raye – My 21st Century Blues". AnyDecentMusic?.
- ^ a b "My 21st Century Blues by RAYE Reviews and Tracks". Metacritic.
- ^ a b Rigotti, Alex (20 January 2023). "Raye - My 21st Century Blues". Clash.
- ^ a b Tipple, Ben (1 February 2023). "RAYE – My 21st Century Blues Album Review". DIY.
- ^ a b McCarthy, Neive (1 February 2023). "RAYE – My 21st Century Blues". Dork.
- ^ "Five stars for Raye's exhilarating debut My 21st Century Blues — album review". Financial Times. 3 February 2023.
- ^ Brown, Helen (2 February 2023). "Raye review, My 21st Century Blues: Polydor will be kicking themselves after hearing this exceptional debut". The Independent.
- ^ a b Milross, Hayley (31 January 2023). "RAYE opens her heart on her long-awaited debut My 21st Century Blues". The Line of Best Fit.
- ^ Mylrae, Hannah (2 February 2023). "RAYE – 'My 21st Century Blues' review: a triumphant, hard-fought debut". NME.
- ^ Cliff, Aimee (8 February 2023). "Raye: My 21st Century Blues Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved 9 February 2023.
- ^ "Best Albums of the Week". The Telegraph. 3 February 2023.
- ^ "The Best Albums of 2023". Retrieved 21 August 2023.
- ^ "The Best Albums of 2023". Retrieved 21 August 2023.
- ^ "The Best Albums of 2023". 12 June 2023. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
- ^ "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 13 February 2023". The ARIA Report. No. 1719. Australian Recording Industry Association. 13 February 2023. p. 6.
- ^ "Ultratop.be – Raye – My 21st Century Blues" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
- ^ "Ultratop.be – Raye – My 21st Century Blues" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
- ^ "Raye Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
- ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Raye – My 21st Century Blues" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
- ^ "Lescharts.com – Raye – My 21st Century Blues". Hung Medien. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
- GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
- ^ "Official Irish Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
- ^ "2023 6-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. 10 February 2023. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
- ^ "NZ Top 40 Albums Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 11 March 2024. Retrieved 8 March 2024.
- ^ "Norwegiancharts.com – Raye – My 21st Century Blues". Hung Medien. Retrieved 8 March 2024.
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- ^ "Spanishcharts.com – Raye – My 21st Century Blues". Hung Medien. Retrieved 8 March 2024.
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- ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
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- ^ "British album certifications – Raye – My 21st Century Blues". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
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