My 21st Century Blues
by RAYE
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
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  1. The Telegraph (UK)
    Feb 3, 2023
    100
    Like FKA Twigs’s Caprisongs, Beyoncé's Renaissance, and SZA’s SOS, Raye’s My 21st Century Blues deserves to be listened to from start to finish, then again, and again.
  2. The Independent (UK)
    Feb 2, 2023
    100
    A very brave, strong record. Hats off, Raye. These blues are smoking hot.
  3. DIY Magazine
    Feb 2, 2023
    90
    With the emotionally charged beats of ‘Black Mascara’, the candour of ‘Body Dysmorphia’ and the unfiltered soul of ‘Buss It Down’, it would be impossible for anyone to sleep on RAYE anymore.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. The Guardian
    Feb 2, 2023
    80
    My 21st Century Blues roars into life, hitting you with one fantastic song after another.
  9. New Musical Express (NME)
    Feb 2, 2023
    80
    The hard-fought ‘My 21st Century Blues’ is unequivocally RAYE from start to finish.
  10. The Line of Best Fit
    Feb 2, 2023
    70
    The album has excellent high points – tracks that showcase what brought RAYE to the forefront in the first place.
  11. Pitchfork
    Feb 8, 2023
    66
    While it showcases the breadth and the peaks of her capabilities, My 21st Century Blues lacks a clear thematic throughline.

Awards & Rankings

12
#12 Most Discussed Album of 2023

User Reviews

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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
  1. 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.
  2. 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
  3. 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
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