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My 21st Century Blues

My 21st Century Blues is the debut studio album by English singer and songwriter Raye. It was released independently by Human Re Sources on 3 February 2023.[5][6] The album is Raye's first project following her departure from Polydor Records in 2021. Largely co-written and produced by herself, she worked with notable names including Mike Sabath, BloodPop, Punctual, and Di Genius. The album features guest appearances from 070 Shake and Mahalia. My 21st Century Blues received acclaim from critics, with some publications including Variety naming it as one of the best albums of 2023.[7] It lyrically explores themes including Raye's struggles with addiction, misogyny, insecurity, body dysmorphia, and sexual assault.[5][6]

My 21st Century Blues

3 February 2023 (2023-02-03)

A log cabin in Utah[1]

46:48

Human Re Sources

Spawned by the release of several singles "Escapism" (featuring 070 Shake), topped the charts in Ireland, Denmark, and United Kingdom, and entered the top ten in over 20 countries. It won "Best Social Trended Song" at the Global Awards, "Best Contemporary Song" at the Ivor Novello Awards, and was nominated for "Best Independent Track" and "Best Independent Video" at the AIM Independent Music Awards. It also received a nomination for "Best British Pop Single" at the Popjustice £20 Music Award Show. A fifth single titled "Ice Cream Man", peaked at number 69 on the UK Singles Chart, while the sixth single "Flip a Switch" featuring Coi Leray reached number 35.


The album debuted at number two on the UK Albums Chart with 15,516 units, becoming her first top ten album in the UK.[8] It charted in over 13 other territories, including reaching number 58 on the US Billboard 200. It was nominated for "Best Independent Album" at the AIM Independent Music Awards, and also shortlisted for "Album of the Year" at the 2023 Mercury Prize.[9] In 2024, it won British Album of the Year at the Brit Awards,[10] in which it re-entered the UK Albums Chart the following week at #5.[11]

All tracks are stylized with a at the end

stop

Notes

– vocals, songwriting (2–15); production (6–9, 11, 13–15); background vocals (7, 12–14); string and horn arranging (13)

Raye

– production (1–3, 5–15); songwriting (2, 3, 5–8, 10–14); engineering (5, 6, 8–11, 14, 15); piano (2, 6, 8); bass (2, 6, 8, 11, 12, 14); drums (2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 11, 12); synthesizer (2, 3, 5, 8, 10, 11); string arranging (2, 3, 5–7, 13); Mellotron (5, 9); guitar (6–12); background vocals (7, 13, 14); horn arranging (7, 13); strings (12)

Mike Sabath

Jenna Felsenthal – vocal engineering (2–15); songwriting (11)

Pete Miller – songwriting, piano (1); production (12, 14, 15); piano, B3 (14, 15)

Adam Krevlin – string engineer (2, 5–7, 13)

– drums, bass, Wurlitzer electronic piano, (7, 13); B3 (7); guitar (13)

The MoonGirls

– vocals, songwriting (5)

070 Shake

– vocals, songwriting (12)

Mahalia

Franky Fox – engineering (1, 13)

Jacob Braun – cello (2, 3, 5–7)

Paul Cartwright – violin (2, 5–7)

Austin Lichtenstein – songwriting, voice (1)

Tia Ferguson – background vocals (1, 7)

– songwriting (3)

Justin Tranter

Brandon Colbein – songwriting (3)

– strings (3)

Charlie Bisharat

– songwriting, production (4)

Punctual

Anton Göransson – songwriting (7)

Isabella Sjostrand – songwriting (7)

Michael Harris – engineering (7, 13)

Tristan Hurd – trumpet (7, 13)

Alex Young – tenor saxophone (7, 13)

Alex Csillag – trombone (7)

Tim Mckay – baritone sax (7)

– songwriting (8)

BloodPop

– songwriting, production (9)

Di Genius

– songwriting, guitar, bass (12)

Eddie Benjamin

Kennedi Lykken – songwriting (12)

Alex Robinson – vocal engineering (12)

Luca Buccellati – production, drums (12)

– songwriting, synthesizer (13)

John Hill

– songwriting (13)

Akil “Fresh” King

Sean Deschamps – cello (13)

– violin (13)

DSharp

Eyelar Mirazazadek – songwriting (14)

Antoinette Smith – songwriting (14)

Jon Castelli – (all tracks)

mixing

Dale Becker – (all tracks)

mastering

Adapted from album liner notes.