As she continues to ride the wave of (long overdue) good fortune and success in an industry that has not always treated her fairly, RAYE celebrated the launch of her debut album ‘My 21st Century Blues’ last week, by attending an an exclusive party hosted by Spotify!
Held at the Dragon Room in Mayfair on Thursday evening, the event saw an array of famous faces – including Jade Thirlwall, Jordan Stephens, MNEK, Griff, and Tion Wayne – turn out in support of the revered songwriter and trailblazing (newly) independent recording artist, who recently scored her first ever No.1 single with the captivating ‘Escapism.’.
Guests in attendance were treated to an exclusive first listen of album tracks ‘Flip a Switch.’, ‘Buss It Down.’, ‘Worth It.’, and ‘Five Star Hotels.’ in between DJ sets from Henrie and Tiffany Calver.
In an emotion address to the packed crowd of friends, family and well wishers, a clearly emotional RAYE said: “I can’t believe this moment is really happening!.. my debut album is finally OUT! Everyone in this room is here because I love you or you’ve shown me mad support – I can’t thank you all enough!”
Check out some EXCLUSIVE images from the launch party below:
“A little context if you care to listen…”
Executive produced by frequent collaborator Mike Sabath (Selena Gomez, Lizzo, Camila Cabello), ‘My 21st Century Blues’ showcases RAYE’s signature raw and honest songwriting on all 13 album tracks, touching on her experiences as a young female woman of colour coming up in the music industry to painful topics like sexual abuse, rape, body dysmorphia, addiction, misogyny, and even climate change.
Speaking on the release of her deeply personal first full-length album, the south London native emotionally shares: “‘My 21st Century Blues’. My debut album. My ugly, complex, beautiful mosaic formed from broken pieces of glass from the last seven years of my life. This music is my medicine, my anxieties, traumas, and unfiltered thoughts. The music on this record empowered me to face my demons and has accompanied me through my bluest blues, crafted unapologetically and fearlessly with love and tears. Now I can only hope it might provide the same medicine it did for me for those who choose to listen. I can’t believe it is really happening – my first album.”
“Some of these songs I’ve had for years that I’ve needed to express and share. Before, I was told it was too uncomfortable and that audiences don’t want to hear it. There’s no sonic through-line. It was just creating whatever felt right for the story I want to tell over it. It just feels free.”
2023 is already shaping up to be RAYE’s biggest year of touring yet, as she embarks on the first leg of her My 21st Century Blues World Tour – performing 14 sold out shows in February and March across Europe and North America, before hitting the road this spring with Kali Uchis as the special guest on her Red Moon In Venus North American Tour, playing 19 shows in major markets including two dates in New York at Radio City Music Hall.
The ‘Hard Out Here.’ has also announced a second leg of 2023 headline shows covering the UK and Europe in November and December. Check out RAYE’s upcoming live dates below:
February 25 – Amsterdam, NL – Melkweg SOLD OUT
February 26 – Berlin, DEU – Frannz SOLD OUT
February 27 – Copenhagen, DK – Lilie Vega SOLD OUT
March 1 – Stockholm, SE – Debaser Strand
March 2 – Paris, FR – La Maroquinerie SOLD OUT
March 4 – Dublin, IE – Olympia Theatre SOLD OUT
March 5 – Belfast, UK – Limelight SOLD OUT
March 7 – Manchester, UK – O2 Ritz SOLD OUT
March 8 – London, UK – Roundhouse SOLD OUT
March 14 – San Francisco, CA – Popscene @ Rickshaw Stop SOLD OUT
March 15 – Los Angeles, CA – Troubadour SOLD OUT
March 17 – Toronto, ON – Velvet Underground SOLD OUT
March 19 – Chicago, IL – Lincoln Hall SOLD OUT
March 21 – Brooklyn, NY – Music Hall Of Williamsburg SOLD OUT
November 18 – Paris, FR – La Cigale
November 19 – Amsterdam, NL – Melkweg
November 20 – Esch-sur-Alzette, LU – Rockhal
November 21 – Amsterdam, NL – Paradiso
November 23 – Berlin, DE – Huxley’s
November 24 – Warsaw, PL – Progresja
November 26 – Copenhagen, DK – Vega
November 29 – Bridlington, UK – Bridlington Spa
November 30 – Glasgow, UK – O2 Academy
December 1 – Newcastle, UK – NX
December 2 – Manchester, UK – O2 Apollo
December 5 – Birmingham, UK – O2 Institute
December 6 – London, UK – Venue TBC
December 7 – Bristol, UK – O2 Academy
‘My 21st Century Blues’ is available to download / stream now