Nathan VanSteenkiste ‘26, Copy Editor
Presently, our world is suffering from uncertainty—war rages in the Middle East, our country remains politically divided, and creativity is dying as artificial intelligence becomes more widespread. In such a period, British popstar RAYE’s latest album, THIS MUSIC MAY CONTAIN HOPE., is a welcome distraction; it is maximalist in the best way, featuring clever production, witty lyrics, and deviating from the classic boundaries of a pop album. Nothing about this album, which blends jazz, R&B, soul, and even house, is unoriginal or disingenuous. Not only does RAYE instill hope, a common motif throughout the album, with this 17-track cinematic experience, but she also proves that in a society that celebrates sameness, a bit of grandeur also goes a long way. Yes, the songs are long (the album has a total run time of 73 minutes). Yes, RAYE explores many genres. Yes, the project can be a bit overwhelming. But wow—this album is simply unforgettable and undoubtedly the best release in 2026 so far.
Right from the opening track, “Intro: Girl Under The Grey Cloud.,” RAYE sets the scene for the album, which she divided into four sections, each according to a season of the year. Beginning in a gloomy autumn, THIS MUSIC MAY CONTAIN HOPE. takes listeners on a narrative that mirrors the star’s personal growth, moving from themes of darkness and loneliness to, as the title states, hope.
“I Will Overcome.,” an orchestral, dramatic ballad, is a fitting opening for such a bold project, featuring chilling vocals and pointed lyrics. On this song, RAYE, who is frequently compared to and pressured to live up to the legacy of legendary artist Amy Winehouse due to their shared British lineage and jazz-inspired music, “criticise[s] comparisons in the media,” according to Genius. She goes on to ridicule the treatment of artists by critics and the media, especially when they are in times of struggle. RAYE sings, “And it’s funny, some people say I remind them of Amy / Some spit through their keyboards, I’ll never amount / And the evil in insults, the arrows from your tongue / Is the same devils you tortured her with / Anyhow, I / I’ll overcome.” “I Will Overcome.” shows RAYE’s emotional resilience despite inevitable public cruelty and scrutiny.
The rest of Autumn is incredible both in terms of production and lyrical creativity. “Beware… The South London Lover Boy.,” in which RAYE cautions listeners about relationships with alluring partners, is a standout for its energetic big-band instrumentation, and according to the Diamondback, “is part of the album’s first take on hope—good things in the future will only come if we keep a wary eye and push forward.” And this theme is carried forth into “The WhatsApp Shakespeare.,” where RAYE makes allusions to the story Romeo and Juliet and Biblical figures, to share how an online lover romantically manipulated her. Particularly enthralling is the complete production shift that occurs in the latter half of the song: the jazzy, upbeat melodies become more grand, as if RAYE were singing on a Broadway stage.
Another memorable track is “Life Boat.,” which will undoubtedly divide listeners and critics. In addition to being the sole house song on the album, making it stand out a bit from the rest of the tracks, the track also features voice notes throughout—from meaningful people in RAYE’s life—saying, “I’m not giving up yet,” which can be distracting to some. Although simple and a bit on-the-nose with its theming, I found “Life Boat.” to be one of the album’s most emotional, fun, and beautiful tracks. Regarding the song, Raye said, “The voices at the beginning of this song [are] my nana and grandad from Yorkshire, and… my late grandad…[who] literally passed like two or three days later, and it’s so beautiful getting to have him, and all of my grandparents, on this album.” She added, “This music really does contain hope because [those messages] will be on my album forever…I don’t care what the critics say about this song. This [song] isn’t for critics.”
That said, one aspect of this album’s rollout that cannot be critiqued is the incredible job RAYE did picking and releasing singles whilst promoting herself. After being mistreated for years by her old record label, a prominent topic on her debut album My 21st Century Blues, she went independent in 2021, meaning that she is entirely on her own when it comes to marketing her music, distribution, and simply earning money. Going independent is not something that all artists can survive, but RAYE’s quality of work speaks for itself. Moreover, she did a great job of drumming up with her viral hit “WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!,” along with the powerful ballads “Nightingale Lane.” and “I Know You’re Hurting.,” which both showcase what are probably the most impressive vocals of the entire project.
But by far, the most impressive single was “Click Clack Symphony.,” featuring the legendary Hans Zimmer—the composer responsible for the scores of films such as The Lion King and Dune. Truly, “Click Clack Symphony.” lives up to its name, as it is a cinematic masterpiece that doubles as a feel-good feminine anthem. On it, RAYE concludes by exclaiming, “The cold never lasts, my darling / It just teaches the heart how to burn.” And no lyric better encapsulates not only the message of this song regarding growth in light of trying, “cold” times, but the entire album better than this one.
Other brilliant features on this album include soul legend Al Green, RAYE’s Grandad Michael, as well as Absolutely and Amma—RAYE’s incredibly talented younger siblings, who, in addition to featuring on the album, have been opening for her on tour. The sisters’ song, “Joy.,” is one of the most replayable from the album, as it radiates positivity and feelings of self-acceptance.
Critically, “THIS MUSIC MAY CONTAIN HOPE.” is one of the most successful albums of the year so far. Based on 11 verified critic reviews, the British star’s sophomore album has an 87/100 average score on Metacritic—one of the highest scores from the first quarter of 2026. As stated by The Independent, which rated the album a perfect 100, “THIS MUSIC MAY CONTAIN HOPE. is a pure audio spectacle that will have you screaming for an encore,” and that is so true. With each listen, you can hear the intention behind every song, especially because of the emphasis RAYE places on using real instrumentation in her work; the album’s production is exemplary and commands attention. And the more you hear the project, the more you come to love and respect RAYE’s bold choices, its over-the-top identity, and the vulnerability of the work.
Without a doubt, RAYE’s THIS MUSIC MAY CONTAIN HOPE. is far removed from being a “sophomore slump.” The album, which topped the charts in the UK and debuted at number 11 on the Billboard 200, is such an accomplishment for RAYE and all independent artists. That being said, the album deserved even better—especially in the United States. A Grammy-winning artist and the record holder for most BRIT Awards won in a single night (six in 2024), RAYE is an incredible innovator and more than worthy of a big breakthrough in the States. RAYE’s originality, authenticity, and creativity should be studied, and her latest album proves that she is an artist with the staying power and talent to hopefully become one of the most heralded musicians of modern music.
Overall Score: 100
Personal Ranking:
- Click Clack Symphony. (feat. Hans Zimmer)
- The WhatsApp Shakespeare.
- Life Boat.
- Nightingale Lane.
- Joy (feat. Amma & Absolutely)
- I Will Overcome.
- I Know You’re Hurting.
- Beware… The South London Boy.
- Winter Woman.
- WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!
- Goodbye Henry. (feat. Al Green)
- Skin & Bones.
- I Hate The Way I Look Today.
- Happier Times Ahead.
- Fields. (feat. Grandad Michael)
- Intro: Girl Under The Grey Cloud
- Fin.
Lyon Life 