Split into four sections based on the seasons, RAYE’s new album talks the listener on a roller-coaster journey through anguish, joy, heartbreak and so much more. Though the 17 tracks and runtime of an hour and 13 minutes may be overwhelming for some, this record’s overflowing vision is exactly what makes it so strong.
In a 2013 HBO Documentary, Beyonce said that people don’t make albums anymore. She explained further that the music scene shifted so suddenly, and how most modern pop artists just throw together a few hit singles and hope it makes up for the filler. Luckily, RAYE is not a victim of this stereotype. THIS MUSIC MAY CONTAIN HOPE. delivers a cinematic experience that fulfills exactly what the music industry has been lacking for so long.
RAYE’s ambition and desire to be heard is clear throughout the album—from her powerful, sweeping vocals to the soaring crescendos on songs like “Click Clack Symphony,” which features Oscar-winning film score composer Hans Zimmer, this record demands the audience’s attention.
The first track, “Intro: Girl Under the Grey Cloud.” begins the narrative that runs throughout the album, with Raye’s spoken interludes appearing in multiple songs. The track opens: “Allow me to set the scene,” and RAYE does just that. The listener is transported into a world of love, perseverance, struggle and hope that is explored with a variety of blended genres.
Raye’s artistry shines through in her ability to take these great leaps between songs, going from an operatic ballad “I Will Overcome.”, to a jazzy pop tune “Beware.. The South London Lover Boy.” to an uplifting house track “Life Boat.” to a big-band, old-style jazz song “I Hate The Way I Look Today.”
The audience is made to traverse the seasons alongside RAYE. The tale weaves through a dark autumn night, a chilling winter despair and a rainy spring poignancy before finally closing on an explosive summer of hope. The final track, “Fin.,” ties it all together with a touching four-and-a-half-minute credits sequence in which RAYE reads out and individually thanks every single person who worked on the album. It is a refreshing and inspiring surprise that finishes the album perfectly, solidifying the message of the hope found in others.
Although the impressive features of Hans Zimmer on “Click Clack Symphony” and Al Green on “Goodbye Henry.” highlight the grandiosity of the record, the features of Grandad Michael on “Fields.” and Amma & Absolutely on “Joy.” are perhaps even more impactful. In these songs, RAYE honors the voices of her grandfather and her sisters, infusing a deeply personal touch to such a theatrical and robust piece of work.
It is the moments like the montage of the phrase “I’m not giving up yet” in track eight’s “Life Boat.” that justify the album’s overwhelming vocals, stylistic shifts and staggering size. Following the powerfully pained vocals of “I Know You’re Hurting.,” this moving line is spoken by a diverse crowd of individuals experiencing the same moment of hope—and the listener feels it, too.
From heartbreak to hope, RAYE guides you through the chaos of the human experience and makes certain that you find your way to the sun by the end. And if you haven’t, she leaves you one final piece of advice in the closing track: listen again.