THIS MUSIC MAY CONTAIN HOPE – RAYE
Album review by: Lindsay Carson
Raye, who went viral in late 2025, into early 2026 for her song “WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!” that many who are attracted to men found relatable in today's bleak dating scene. The album is called THIS MUSIC MAY CONTAIN HOPE, and I sure hope it does. If there’s one thing people need right now, it’s hope!
Intro: Girl Under the Grey Cloud.
The absolute DRAMA. Picturing the woman in this spoken word story set to dramatic, symphonic music. The way it gets more urgent as the story goes on. As a woman who is also in her late twenties (as much as I hate to admit it) and loves a bit of melodramatic, as the kids say, main character energy, I found this opening to be so unique and cool.
I Will Overcome.
Right out the gate, this song has a gospel tone to it. Its minor key paints a haunting picture that balances beautifully with both Raye’s smooth vocals and the backing choir. Then, it melts into a more modern sound with an electronic beat and rap-like vocals on beat. I suppose it’s a mixture of modern electronic pop and R&B in its production. “I have black cat eyeglasses so I look chic when I cry” is such an inspirational lyric, though it may sound silly. I think we all secretly aspire to still serve when we’re going through it. This song feels powerful to say the least. The whole message of “I Will Overcome” paired with such a musical backing that has a strength to it with its crescendos and the moments in which the beats hit. I’d also venture to say that it starts feeling theatrical towards the end and I absolutely adore it for going there. Can we talk about Raye’s belt as well? The RANGE.
Beware.. The South London Lover Boy.
Okay, I am going to venture further in my opinion that Raye’s music is theatrical because this song further cemented that idea. It’s more jazzy than the last song, being more upbeat and snappy. Also, we love Raye coming for those performative lover boys. The “I’m such a romantic,” boys who can’t actually commit and just want a good time. I love when a woman writes a song warning other women not to get hurt by the same kind of men they did. It’s feminism. Unfortunately, I have found these types of guys aren’t just in South London, but I will keep this song in mind next time I visit the area.
The WhatsApp Shakespeare.
I feel so seen by the title of this song. Unfortunately, it is not about how incredible I am at crafty witty texts, it’s about a devilish man who would send such sweet messages but, in reality, he is just a player. Yuck. As for the musicality, I absolutely love the storytelling nature of the lyrics and the bouncy, intricate piano backing. When it brings in the electronic beats, it continues Raye sound of using classical, old fashioned style of music mixed with modern music production. It’s almost as if someone were to rap over a classical song, which I love the creativity of. This definitely has more of an R&B sound throughout most of it, but with that experimental edge to it. It has a nod to Chicago, continuing the theatrical sound towards the end of the song, mixing with jazz like the previous song. It’s a fun song that verbally destroys an awful man, so I approve.
Winter Woman.
While the lyrics are very clearly sung, this song has the essence of a spoken word poem. It’s an angry, post breakup song, definitely the writing of a woman scorned. It has the iconic lyric of “I will be sad and beautiful” once again reiterating the relatable urge to still serve while you’re going through it. She continues with her message of pushing through when going through a hard time, making this a bad ass anthem women scorned and sing and dance along to. While the lyrics are sad, it has such a funky dance beat that you can’t help but want to dance while crying. Perhaps that’s to amplify the message of pushing through and keeping up hope while being sad.
Click Clack Symphony (Ft. Hans Zimmer)
Okay, we’re going cinematic with the Hans Zimmer feature. It starts simple with the click clack of heels, but the music continues to crescendo. It builds cinematic suspense, with the symphonic background. The lyrics and melody are once again reminiscent of spoken word but with the occasional beautiful riff or jump in octave. Again, the song is Raye giving a reminder to herself and her audience that everything is going to be alright, even when everything is hurting and feeling hopeless, things will be okay. In the middle of the song, it brings in more electronic production over the symphonic music, making it a very interesting amalgamation of sounds. After a spoken bridge, the music itself becomes more inspirational and empowering in tone, which could perhaps signal that the hope is coming through even stronger now. I really like the experimentation with the production of this song. Truly, it’s absolutely cinema in music form.
I Know You’re Hurting.
This slow, softer starting song is for the people who put on a smile and push through when they’re hurting, as many of the other songs on this album are as well. However, this seems to take it a step further, being for the people who do everything to hide their pain for others. Raye seems to want the audience to know she sees these people, she understands their pain, she knows they’re hurting. It has some big, dramatic moments within the music, that then go back to softer and more stripped back during the verses, rising again towards the end. It’s a really sweet and heartwarming song that I think will resonate with many.
Life Boat.
This song seems to have some gospel inspiration mixed with modern electronic production. As the song continues, it alternates club dance beats with that stripped back gospel sound. It’s very heartwarming and inspirational, mixing Raye’s vocals with different voices of people from all different ages and accents saying, “I’m not giving up yet.” If it wasn’t clear yet that this album is meant to be inspirational, this song really hammers it home.
I Hate the Way I Look Today.
I love the intro to the song in the beginning into a very jazzy song. It’s classic jazz piano, standing bass, and more. It changes its melody the way other songs do, but it keeps the jazz instrumental regardless. The song is seemingly about being in a deep, self-loathing type of depression. Of course, it changes its tone and becomes inspirational at the end, encouraging changing your perspective to be able to love yourself. I love the instrumental break and the backing vocals that did a type of call and response with Raye. It’s so playful and different to both modern pop songs and classic jazz songs, blending elements of both. Raye definitely takes creative liberty and makes things her own type of art, and I am a big supporter of such a notion.
Goodbye Henry (Ft. Al Green)
Lyrically, this song is on the nose in a sort of meta way. She’s narrating the song during the song and while it may sound cheesy and too overt lyrically, it actually works. Perhaps it’s because of the charming melody, or the backing vocals, or the way it does tell a story, it just breaks the fourth wall sometimes. I don’t want to compare Raye to other artists because it is clear to me that she likes to create things that are outside the box, but I think fans of Sabrina Carpenter would like this song. The Al Green feature adds another element that’s full of jazz and a bit theatrical in its introduction into the song. Yes, I mentioned Sabrina Carpenter, but I am finding that Raye’s music truly is incomparable to other mainstream artists. And, boy, can she sing!
Nightingale Lane.
Another spoken introduction. It reminds me of a live show of someone singing in a jazz lounge. This is a slow song that, if I had to give it a genre, I’d say it’s a mix of jazz and R&B. Raye didn’t lie about this being a sad song as it’s about a lost love and wanting something like that again. I will once again say that Raye can really, truly sing. She has quite the range and shows it off in this song. She seems to be able to sing different styles as well, she just has one of those voices that gives people goosebumps and doesn’t hold back in the vocals of this song. I think the powerful nature of her voice really emphasizes the emotions behind this song as well.
Skin & Bones.
Yes, let’s continue to tear apart men who are players in music. This is another one Sabrina Carpenter fans may like for that reason, along with the funky beats featuring guitar licks. This song may be the one that fits into mainstream, popular music the most, but it still has a unique edge to it. It reminds me of 70s disco type music, but it becomes more focused on the drums during the bridge, then introduces horns becoming similar to the music of a marching band. Therefore, it was still different from anything I’ve heard lately.
WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!
This is the song that went viral and got Raye’s name out there. It’s super catchy and unfortunately, relatable. Although, I’ll probably buy myself a ring instead of waiting around for a man to do it, but that’s my prerogative. I have to give this song its flowers, even though the virality of it already has. It’s the kind of song that gets stuck in your head and it's no wonder it's become an anthem because anyone who dates men can attest to the difficulty of finding one that’s husband material. The song has a fun, jazzy beat and relatable lyrics. It’s the perfect recipe for a hit, so it’s no wonder it became so popular.
Fields. (Ft. Grandad Michael)
This song is much differently musically from Raye’s other, having an acoustic guitar backing. Raye went hard on the harmonies, layering many within the intro and backing vocals. Her main singing track throughout the song once again has a spoken word vibe to it. The song also layers in a man's voice (Grandad Michael). It’s a very personal song about Raye’s relationship with her grandad and reminiscing on childhood and how carefree it was. I think many can relate to that feeling, the missing of just being able to run around and play, not a worry in the world. It has a sweet message from her grandad in the middle, then she starts talking about who her grandad is and a memory she shares with him. Towards the end of the song, it starts to sound more gospel. It’s truly a beautiful and deeply touching song.
Joy. (Ft. Amma and Absolutely)
The transition into the song really does a180 from the previous song, as it’s very upbeat. We dive headfirst into the inspirational nature of this song. It’s all about finding joy again, even if you “cry at night…. joy comes in the morning.” It’s extremely inspirational in musical sound and in lyrics. There’s truly no other word to describe it. It’s a song that feels like clouds parting to reveal the sun after weeks of rain. Moreover, the song features her sisters, which I think is a sweet little addition.
Happier Times Ahead.
We are back to the jazzy sound, with a jazz piano, horns and lounge-like vocals. Of course, this is another hopeful song. It paints stories of various people going through hard times, Raye reminds them that there are happier times ahead. The album title didn’t lie; it truly does contain hope. This song made me want to dance around the living room and feel all the joy life has to offer, even if it's in little things like a good song or being able to dance. Thanks for the hope of happier times, Raye.
Fin.
Even the title of this song shows the theatrical or even cinematic nature of Raye’s artistry. She uses string instruments and vocals that are reminiscent of an old timey film. Honestly, it reminded me of classic Disney film soundtracks, like Peter Pan, Cinderella, Snow White, those kinds of songs. It’s orchestral, and it once again breaks the fourth wall lyrically. While it’s realistic in its ranting about what life holds, it also still contains hope. The song then becomes spoken words over soft strings. Raye thanks everyone that worked on this album, shouting them out by name. Every single person, it seems, all the instrumentalists, and more. She thanks her family and those close to her. I actually loved that she did this because so many people who are vital to the songwriting and creating process go unnamed and they deserve their flowers too.
I am a big fan of artists trying new things with music. so this album gets my seal of approval. It’s also, quite possibly, the longest album I’ve listened to recently, but I like that. Let’s not strip back or tone down art to make it more palatable. Art is supposed to make you think and feel. I absolutely love when it doesn’t try to fit into a box or do its best to be marketable with modern capitalism. I like when it’s authentic to the artist, in whatever way that means to them. Whether it’s telling a fictional story, or has biographical vulnerability, as long as it doesn't sell out its creative prowess in order to be popular, I approve.
