In a surprise move that feels both spontaneous and long overdue, Mark Ronson and RAYE have joined forces to release ‘Suzanne’—a sultry, soul-steeped track laced with warm horns, cinematic flair, and emotional depth.
Dropped with no prior teasers, the song captures the magic of two artists who share a deep reverence for timeless sound and rich storytelling. What began as mutual admiration has culminated in a collaboration years in the making, shaped by late-night sessions across continents and a creative chemistry that now unfolds with effortless grace.
Written by Mark Ronson, RAYE, Tommy Brenneck and Eric Hagstrom, and co-produced by Ronson and Brenneck, ‘Suzanne’ pulses with a supper-club warmth, its horn arrangements echoing smoky lounges and late-night confessions. It’s classic and contemporary at once, held together by the musical fingerprints of two artists known for reinventing nostalgia on their own terms.
The track is more than just a meeting of musical minds — it’s a full-circle moment rooted in serendipity and shared history. Ronson, long an admirer of RAYE’s evolution from behind-the-scenes songwriter to award-winning solo artist, expressed how the collaboration felt fated. “When Audemars Piguet brought us together through their APxMusic program, it felt like the stars aligning at exactly the right moment,” he said, referring to the iconic Swiss watchmaker’s initiative that celebrates its 150th anniversary this year — and served as the unexpected spark behind the song.
RAYE, reflecting on the journey, revealed an emotional connection to the track’s title from the very start. “Within minutes of hearing the music Mark created, I just knew it had to be called ‘Suzanne’,” she shared. The title, as it turns out, also pays homage to Suzanne Audemars, one of the founding figures behind Audemars Piguet, adding yet another layer of meaning to the already intimate track.
Their creative process, according to both artists, was far from transactional. It involved marathon sessions in London, New York, and Los Angeles — late nights filled with experimentation and an undeniable musical chemistry. “The music we’ve created together carries both our musical DNA but takes us somewhere neither of us would have reached alone,” Ronson noted.
For RAYE, the experience carries a personal poignancy. Years ago, she honed her songwriting skills in Mark Ronson’s London studio, never imagining she’d one day return as a collaborator. “Everything about how this song came to exist, and this moment with Mark and AP, feels meant to be,” she said. “…And the joy I feel in my bones whenever I play this song in my headphones, the overwhelming consensus of emotions is gratitude and pride,” she adds.
‘Suzanne’ is now available to stream — a surprise drop and a testament to timing, talent, and the beautiful chaos of creative collisions.
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