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. 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. josefilho
    Feb 3, 2023
    9
    A voz perfeita e coesa existe e Raye veio pra provar isso. É um álbum rico demais em beleza, elegância, sentimentos e sonoridade.
  4. lucasmileeo
    Feb 3, 2023
    10
    esse álbum é fanático, cada música muito bem pensada e posicionada, parabéns raye por essa obra prima
  5. 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
  6. salatiellealm
    Feb 3, 2023
    5
    One of the best albums of the year. Raye is One of a kind artists she has an unique style
  7. MetacriticOnur
    Feb 4, 2023
    8
    excellent
    [ ek-suh-luhnt ]

    adjective
    possessing outstanding quality or superior merit; remarkably good.
  8. WilliamPavoni
    Feb 12, 2023
    0
    I didn't like it. Too bad and overrated. I think music isn't about being dramatic all the time
  9. edwarbrandesire
    Mar 5, 2023
    0
    A very loud and expressive album in good terms of what a special voice can make
  10. Heyitscarlos
    Jun 9, 2023
    9
    I have sat with this album for months now, since its release. I really wanted my review to be honest and have had time to digest what Raye offered the world, this record so far has been one of my favorite releases of the year. The way Raye has been able to stay true to herself with making some great bops like Flip A Switch, Black Mascara and Five Star Hotels but as well be so honest andI have sat with this album for months now, since its release. I really wanted my review to be honest and have had time to digest what Raye offered the world, this record so far has been one of my favorite releases of the year. The way Raye has been able to stay true to herself with making some great bops like Flip A Switch, Black Mascara and Five Star Hotels but as well be so honest and raw is something to be proud of and heartbroken at the same time. This is an artist who has gone through the gutter professionally and personally, "ice cream man" is a powerful statement about an experience many people go through. The way the album opens with the Introduction and Oscar Winning Tears is stunning, you instantly know you are in for a treat. The jazz undertones in The Thrill Is Gone, Worth it, and Buss It Down are surprising but leave the door open for a future Jazz album that could move the world. This project is a gift to the world and i cant wait to see where Raye goes from here. My one critical comment is how short some of the songs were i feel like they could've been extend an extra 30 seconds.… Expand
  11. 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.
  12. VitorMacauba
    Feb 5, 2023
    9
    This album is filled with raw, emotional, honest and strong lyrics, with great rhythms, awesome productions and of course Raye’s beautiful voice. It deserves a lot of commercial success and many awards!
  13. 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.
  14. 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........
  15. antik_17
    Feb 4, 2023
    9
    The debut album of UK’s music industry wonder Raye is a raw, overt, candid and in-your-face record. It’s amazing how she makes the lyrics be congenial to the melodies. Not only is this album an ears-blessing musical experience, it also showcases her vocal and songwriting abilities, it proves why she’s been present in the industry for the many years as she’s penned songs for artists such asThe debut album of UK’s music industry wonder Raye is a raw, overt, candid and in-your-face record. It’s amazing how she makes the lyrics be congenial to the melodies. Not only is this album an ears-blessing musical experience, it also showcases her vocal and songwriting abilities, it proves why she’s been present in the industry for the many years as she’s penned songs for artists such as Madison Beer, Zara Larsson, Beyoncé, Khalid, Little Mix and many more. Overall, “My 21st century Blues” is a recognition-deserving and worth-listening album. Have a listen to it - you will relish it.… Expand
  16. hpfan92
    Jul 30, 2023
    10
    Album of the year, best new artist, best pop vocal album, she really deserves all the awards!
  17. 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
  18. PEDROMFR
    Feb 4, 2023
    8
    It's impossible to deny Raye's artistry but I'm pretty sure this is one of the best debut albums of this decade and for sure, the most artistic and diferent one - in all the positive ways. She has this new flow and energy combined with raw truth adding perfect production, making a nearly perfect album.
  19. 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
  20. 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.
  21. szjoaao
    Feb 8, 2023
    8
    nossa muito diva serio escapism vive na cabeca 24horas por dia fico passando mal
  22. 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.
  23. 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
  24. 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.
  25. mariana1981
    Mar 7, 2023
    10
    Couldn't debut better than this, a new great artist is rising, congratulations Raye for your beautiful work.
  26. JaySWang
    Mar 16, 2023
    9
    I love her voice! Her talent is amazing and unique! The melodrama type of album is always my choice!
  27. 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
  28. 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!
  29. 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.
  30. Mikefitzg
    Feb 3, 2023
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Phenomenal. Diverse. But has a collective vibe. shessssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss… Expand
  31. alxstrv
    Feb 3, 2023
    10
    speechless, beyond the words, her old label fumbled a bag so bad, this is a work of art
  32. 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
  33. 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
  34. 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
  35. thebystander
    Feb 4, 2023
    9
    This was a pleasant surprise. I hope her next projects are as good as this one. Everything on this record is really well thought
  36. 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
  37. bvcxbnm
    Feb 4, 2023
    10
    Amazing, never heard an album like this. I hope she makes more music and albums.
  38. 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
  39. 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
  40. crz4tay
    Feb 7, 2023
    10
    A beautiful album with experimental, breakup and political songs, truly album of the year
  41. Erickp13
    Feb 10, 2023
    8
    Raye possui uma sonoridade única, a forma como ela se conecta com o ouvinte durante todo o álbum é bastante coesa, destaque para Black Mascara e Escapism,
  42. 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!
  43. 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.
  44. spontaani
    Mar 5, 2023
    8
    Such a wonderful, brave debut album with no skips. Personal favorites are Body Dysmorphia. & Environmental Anxiety.
  45. oscarswan
    Mar 16, 2023
    10
    raye demuestra tener el potencial de poder ser la indicada para llevarse el gramófono de best new artist, la manera en la que ella hace hablar su música, tanto en la composición como en la producción de esta. un verdadero ejemplo a seguir y me enorgullece que esta mujer haga que la música sea un medio en el que podemos transmitir lo que creamos que es necesario, tambien considerando queraye demuestra tener el potencial de poder ser la indicada para llevarse el gramófono de best new artist, la manera en la que ella hace hablar su música, tanto en la composición como en la producción de esta. un verdadero ejemplo a seguir y me enorgullece que esta mujer haga que la música sea un medio en el que podemos transmitir lo que creamos que es necesario, tambien considerando que bastantes personas se pueden sentir identificadas con su musica.… Expand
  46. skltzoboy13
    Mar 26, 2023
    8
    Amazing debut! I'm so happy for her now that she is an independent artist. Worth It and Escapism are probably going to be my most replayed songs in 2023 XD!
  47. djyannoushka
    Apr 16, 2023
    10
    So happy to finally hear RAYE in a full fledged album ! This is my favorite musical release of 2023, even though we're just starting the year, no questions asked. I expected absolutely none of what she delivered, and found myself so emotional at every corner. As a whole, the album really feels like a story and a musical both, and the sheer relief it gave me to hear full on instruments andSo happy to finally hear RAYE in a full fledged album ! This is my favorite musical release of 2023, even though we're just starting the year, no questions asked. I expected absolutely none of what she delivered, and found myself so emotional at every corner. As a whole, the album really feels like a story and a musical both, and the sheer relief it gave me to hear full on instruments and such a beautiful, emotional, deeply honest voice. The featuring with Mahalia also made me so happy ! I love both artists, their voices mix together super well, it was really refreshing !
    The lyrics hit very deep, especially if you've ever lived as a woman, I'm honestly amazed that someone would be able to be so intimate in an album and I hope she felt a lot relief from it, because I know that it's going to be a very important album for a lot of people who can relate to these words. I deeply recommend watching and listening to any live performance that RAYE does with this album, because as much as the songs are great, RAYE singing them live just makes them 10times better I swear ! It's goosebumps worthy !!    … Expand
  48. CerqueiraD
    Apr 17, 2023
    10
    I LOVED! I didn't know anything about the amazing Raye, but from the first time I heard it, I knew it would be one of the best of the year, if not, the AOTY of the year! INCREDIBLE
  49. martinmunozz
    May 30, 2023
    10
    All the years she's been behind us, writing the lyrics to other artists and being completely mistreated by her label just lead us to My 21st Century Blues, the album she's always been wanting to release. This album just irradiates talent. The magnificent production, the story behind it, the lyrics and her flawless voice leads us to one of the best albums I've ever heard. top 5 definitely,All the years she's been behind us, writing the lyrics to other artists and being completely mistreated by her label just lead us to My 21st Century Blues, the album she's always been wanting to release. This album just irradiates talent. The magnificent production, the story behind it, the lyrics and her flawless voice leads us to one of the best albums I've ever heard. top 5 definitely, and, so far, the best album (and by far) of 2023. So happy she finally found a space for telling her meaningful story.… Expand
  50. pedro_bastos
    Jun 12, 2023
    10
    É um dos melhores debut álbuns de toda a história da indústria músical. Raye entregou tudo o que guardava a tanto tempo.

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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