My 21st Century Blues
by RAYE
User Score
9.0

Universal acclaim- based on 114 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 106 out of 114
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 114
  3. Negative: 5 out of 114
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  1. PEDROSILVERO6
    Feb 4, 2023
    10
    Wow, album is so good. I did not expect this at all! And so many different genres, pop, electro pop, Rnb, funky soul, indie pop rock.. damn it gurrl. And the way she's using her voice is so interesting.
  2. pedro_pelizer
    Feb 3, 2023
    10
    I haven't heard such a wonderful album in a long time and I'm so grateful to have been introduced to the incredible artist that is RAYE.
  3. Melaniniana
    Feb 3, 2023
    10
    one of the best albums I've heard in a long time. she put all her time and thought in it.
  4. AssemabdElmobdy
    Apr 28, 2023
    10
    A great debut album... So emotional so personal
    Me listening to this album feel like I can say so many things I couldn't say before........
  5. hpfan92
    Jul 30, 2023
    10
    Album of the year, best new artist, best pop vocal album, she really deserves all the awards!
  6. Leandrosanro
    Feb 3, 2023
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Artist! Artist! Artist! Artist! **** Her name is… RAYE! That b dont play.… Expand
  7. stefanos_frtns
    Feb 4, 2023
    10
    I’m so proud of RAYE she outdid herself with this album she deserves all the love of the world and it really means everything to her releasing her baby after 7 whole years!! STREAM M21CB
  8. Akura-ou
    Feb 3, 2023
    10
    This album wonderfully showcases Raye's vocal abilities and versatility. "Environmental Anxiety" despite its important message is a terribly chaotic and strange song.
  9. Estaneck
    Mar 10, 2023
    10
    Este álbum é incrível do início ao fim e para quem gosta de música é um álbum completo com muitas melodias,arranjos perfeitos e fora o vocal da raye que é perfeito.
  10. lhmr
    Feb 3, 2023
    10
    So proud of her and everything she did for this debut album to be this perfect. She’s humble, talented and hard working. You’ll go far girl
  11. Soujanya1234
    Feb 25, 2023
    10
    This is an album I can listen to all day long. The story each song tells, the pain, the happiness, with mixed of piano,pop synth, guitar, and her amazing voice, already makes it a top contender for album of the year. I found all the elements of music in this. I'm so happy and i love how much music means to her. Please Raye never let any mother****er get u down. You're are true gem. Buss itThis is an album I can listen to all day long. The story each song tells, the pain, the happiness, with mixed of piano,pop synth, guitar, and her amazing voice, already makes it a top contender for album of the year. I found all the elements of music in this. I'm so happy and i love how much music means to her. Please Raye never let any mother****er get u down. You're are true gem. Buss it down is my fav. I happy that you are finally gonna shine. Take the spotlight, queen.… Expand
  12. JJMMJJ
    Feb 4, 2023
    10
    Crazy that’s this is her debut album. So many genres, ideas, instrumentals, effects, yet it’s s cohesive piece of art reedy for any occasion.
  13. mariana1981
    Mar 7, 2023
    10
    Couldn't debut better than this, a new great artist is rising, congratulations Raye for your beautiful work.
  14. bramwx
    Feb 3, 2023
    10
    RAYE moves effortlessly between both genres and themes. The record feels personal and heartfelt, but also brave and daring. The production on every track is just as good as the other, with her strong vocals tying them all together. Overall a fantastic debut for the beloved Rachel
  15. wojtekk
    Mar 4, 2023
    10
    RAYE did an incredible job! Everything about this album is buttoned up. Each song is very different where RAYE with amazing vocals is fluently moving between genres. Those differences and amazing production make this album perfect!
  16. lucasmileeo
    Feb 3, 2023
    10
    esse álbum é fanático, cada música muito bem pensada e posicionada, parabéns raye por essa obra prima
  17. flashback3001
    Feb 3, 2023
    10
    If this doesn’t make Raye the frontrunner for Best New Artist at next year’s Grammys, nothing could. Absolutely sublime.
  18. Mikefitzg
    Feb 3, 2023
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Phenomenal. Diverse. But has a collective vibe. shessssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss… Expand
  19. alxstrv
    Feb 3, 2023
    10
    speechless, beyond the words, her old label fumbled a bag so bad, this is a work of art
  20. MarSt2905
    Feb 3, 2023
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This album shows RAYEs vocals, songwriting and production, which are all AMAZING. I really loved this album!… Expand
  21. victorleeeon
    Feb 3, 2023
    10
    RAYE is an artist that I've been following for a while, and I always thought that she deserved so much more recognize because what she's doing is amazing! I heard all the songs, a lot of time and when "Escapism" out i heard it already, at the same night, and I thought "this music is a bluster! Is amazing!" And, some days latter, over than 100 million streamings on Spotify and then when gotRAYE is an artist that I've been following for a while, and I always thought that she deserved so much more recognize because what she's doing is amazing! I heard all the songs, a lot of time and when "Escapism" out i heard it already, at the same night, and I thought "this music is a bluster! Is amazing!" And, some days latter, over than 100 million streamings on Spotify and then when got "My 21s Century Blues". This album is a masterpiece, is art, is powerful, honest and RAYE's vocals are strong, beautiful, she's a technical singer. And the choice of "Oscar Winning Tears" as the opening track was amazing. And to finish it, the transitions and the storyteller show that RAYE is just starting and we cannot close our eyes for her anymore, and thanks God I never did.… Expand
  22. PetruGherasim19
    Feb 4, 2023
    10
    I think it's the best album of the moment. Rarely does an artist share any feeling with the world in such detail through incredible storytelling. Here Raye has done just that and I appreciate her immensely for the perseverance she's had all these years to release her debut. Indeed, for me, all of her lyrics, which seem to be very dark and destructive, have been gentle bandages that haveI think it's the best album of the moment. Rarely does an artist share any feeling with the world in such detail through incredible storytelling. Here Raye has done just that and I appreciate her immensely for the perseverance she's had all these years to release her debut. Indeed, for me, all of her lyrics, which seem to be very dark and destructive, have been gentle bandages that have given me the courage to tell my own, softer stories in the rawest and truest way.… Expand
  23. cs06
    Feb 4, 2023
    10
    My 21st Century Blues is the album of the year!
    A true piece of artwork created by some of the best people in the music industry. A documentary should be made about the development of the album. Love you,
    Callum
  24. bvcxbnm
    Feb 4, 2023
    10
    Amazing, never heard an album like this. I hope she makes more music and albums.
  25. redsxj
    Feb 5, 2023
    10
    Wow I can’t believe we were sleeping on raye this entire time. this album is literally a masterpiece, probably one of the best if not the best i’ve heard my entire life. GIVE HER HER FLOWERS & HER GRAMMYS
  26. Emayouel_03
    Feb 6, 2023
    10
    The wait's worth it! Raye's delivered the best of her talent, subjectivity and power. With melancholic notes, painful outbursts and many teachings, she trails a road with acclaim and consistency, warming our hearts with such a special project. A Masterpiece's in our hands
  27. anto2002
    Feb 7, 2023
    10
    This is so good.
    All the tracks tells a story, her story
    My fav of the album is flip a switch
  28. crz4tay
    Feb 7, 2023
    10
    A beautiful album with experimental, breakup and political songs, truly album of the year
  29. Gurv707
    Feb 15, 2023
    10
    There are very few artists able to produce such innovative, insightful, genre transcending albums ever! really is a breath of fresh air in the music industry... RAYE the absolute queen is cultivating her own new genre just WOW! It felt like i was an audience member of a west end theatre performance! she has an impeccable ability to transport you where she wants you to go to. ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT!
  30. matthewww07
    Mar 7, 2023
    10
    Truly an amazing album, each song has its own unique element to make this album extremely versatile. Raye brings up to a night club with Black Mascara and takes us to church at the very end with Buss It Down. One of the most outstanding debut albums, it's a shame that a record label did not see potential.
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Awards & Rankings

12
#12 Most Discussed Album of 2023

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
82

Universal acclaim - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. Beats Per Minute
    Feb 14, 2023
    80
    This is far from a “safe” debut – her authenticity, vulnerability and innate ability to scribe the gory innards of her consciousness on to paper are entirely unique and intimately personal. It is not always the easiest listen and that is precisely the point.
    Read full review
  2. The Observer (UK)
    Feb 13, 2023
    80
    here’s a touch of pastiche on the doo wop of Thrill Is Gone, but overall the record showcases a self-assured songwriter, capable of producing swaggering floor-fillers. My 21st Century Blues is Keen’s artistic rebirth. Long may it continue.
    Read full review
  3. AllMusic
    Feb 10, 2023
    80
    None of these uninhibited songs could have been half as convincing voiced by another singer. That said, it's evident that she's using her platform to speak for others who have lived through anything remotely similar.
    Read full review
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