Raye - My 21st Century Blues

My 21st Century Blues was a vindicating triumph for RAYE weeks before it was released. The advance single "Escapism" topped the U.K. pop chart, giving the newly independent singer/songwriter her greatest commercial success after severing ties with Polydor. The label had signed her to a four-album deal and after six years had yet to green-light the first LP. Increasingly frustrated by artistic compromise as her scattered singles, featured appearances, and songwriting credits for other artists continued to pile up, RAYE fought free and justified her demand for autonomy with a theatrical smash hit about an impulsive night out in the wake of a bad relationship. RAYE's debut album does have the feel of a mixtape with its abrupt changes in production style and subjects. In a way, it comes across simultaneously as an outpouring of creativity and the clearing of a backlog, maybe a prelude to something more refined and focused. Whatever the case, no list of recordings that shine a light on eith