**MY 21ST CENTURY BLUES** is for the Sad Girlies Who Want to BOP!! - album reaction!

[@tom_j.]

ALBUM OF THE YEAR, BEST NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR, SONG OF THE YEAR, GIVE HER EVERYTHING

[@idontknowanymore7689]

She really deserves that new artist 😭 like ik she's been in the industry but SHE DESERVES ITTTT

[@tom_j.]

​@@idontknowanymore7689yess, the award is not just for people who recently started doing music, it is for emerging artists so she should def win it

[@samuel.ts13]

i unfortunately think ice spice is gonna win this award 😢

[@chappy3838]

@@samuel.ts13ugh

[@rubyjanewithlove]

@@samuel.ts13 oh i hope not, no hate to her but this is just way better

[@jordannow13]

The fact some of these were written like 6 years ago when she was 19 (worth it, ice cream man, five star hotel) is insane

[@dwilt.c]

NOT ICE CREAM MAN AT 19 NO WAY SHE BEEN THROUGH THIS SHIT SO YOUNG 😭😭

[@vuyolwethu_m26]

I'm sorry!? don't do that. how old is she!?

[@jordannow13]

@@vuyolwethu_m26 25 currently

[@jordannow13]

@@dwilt.c yeah it’s crazy. In the second verse she said it happened to her when she was 7,11, 17 & 21. So she rewrote the song at 21 but original had a different version at 19

[@DJKuroh]

​@@vuyolwethu_m26She's 25

[@finntheultimatediva]

I got RAYE as an opener for sza and let me tell you… IT WAS EVERYTHING. she was such a good performer and mother. her music is what the modern day music industry needs like… what happened to live instruments outside of pianos and guitars???

[@finntheultimatediva]

and ice cream man was truly a religious experience…

[@MG-ql8sgsgloryhole]

Saw her opening for Kali Uchis. She seems happier now onstage than when she was still under P*lydor

[@justonejoon3082]

fun fact: the child speaking in body dysmorphia is actually her little sister and she’s also in the album artwork!

[@SahloFolina2161]

Wait is she the person on all that stuff or...?

[@19ayittahj76]

@@SahloFolina2161yeah

[@jordannow13]

Fun Fact; black mascara is the only dance track as a fuck you to Polydor bc they made her only sing dance for year and years. It is also about the guy she really trusted who spiked her

[@SahloFolina2161]

How fucked up of a human do you have to be to *spike someone.*

[@jaylaalle5827]

one of the most underrated albums of the year for me, raye is so slept on ❤ (also she opened for SZA during her ‘S.O.S.’ tour!)

[@elsxplr]

Yes, I went to sza’s show in Amsterdam and Raye was incredible!

[@parisewellington3664]

She opened for Lewis Capaldi in January too it was so good😩😩

[@shiloilo]

@@parisewellington3664lewis need to be opening up for HER

[@parisewellington3664]

@@shiloilo it was before her album dropped 😭

[@manianiani]

✨️timestamps✨️ introduction.- 1:30 oscar winning tears.- 2:04 hard out here.- 4:29 black mascara.- 6:41 escapism.- 9:03 mary jane.- 10:25 the thrill is gone.- 12:25 ice cream man.- 13:40 flip a switch.- 17:20 body dysmorphia.- 18:49 environmental anxiety.- 22:08 five star hotels.- 25:16 worth it.- 26:19 buss it down.- 27:25 fin.- 28:19 final thoughts/ranking- 28:37

[@nasreddineelaissaoui2852]

I’m so so

[@jordannow13]

She gives Amy Winehouse and Marilyn vibes so much

[@conduitofthegospeldarrellb9154]

She gives? That’s the whole purpose of her aesthetic. To align her with figures you already like or are familiar with. If you grew up on Rihanna, Winehouse, Kherri Hilson, Adele, Christina, Pink, Duffy etc I doubt RAYE is as intriguing to you.

[@hoelikejoe9113]

@@conduitofthegospeldarrellb9154 Yeah, no. That's not really the purpose of her aesthetic. Her hair is the way it is because she loves the 60's. She also just makes music she likes, so I don't know what the hell you're saying that there is a specific purpose behind it, when it's only who she is/what she likes. She's not doing it to appear a certain way or what not, get a life.

[@LazicNikola]

I know her old label was punching the air when Escapism went viral and the album became a success for her, I'm glad she's getting everything she deserves. It's one of my favorite projects of the year and I can't wait to see what she'll do next ❤

[@santiago324]

She won SIX BRITS!!!!

[@LazicNikola]

@@santiago324 oh my god I know, she's the main reason I watched the show and seeing her grandma up on the stage with her while she was accepting one of the awards made me so emotional 😭 and her performance was mind-blowing 🔥

[@santiago324]

@@LazicNikola i re watch that video a million times in a day, I cry so hard with it, i'm SO proud of her 😭😭😭

[@tannertho]

raye becoming independent was the best thing to happen!!! such an underrated album with very emotional moments and traumas that most people don’t touch but should!!! love you ash ❤️

[@leak.9786]

It makes sense for Mary Jane to come after Escapism with the whole drug theme and wanting and needing an escape… but after the high that Escapism is, Mary Jane is kind of a bummer. But now that I think about it that could totally have been intentional to symbolise the high and the comedown of a drug

[@PheonixBeaonix]

Mary Jane is a love letter to her addictions, in escapism she’s talking about using thses addictions/vices to get through situations, so that’s also another reason for Mary Jane to be after escapism. I agree about the highs and lows too

[@jordannow13]

The thrill is gone is such a grower. When it was released before the album as a promotional single. I didn’t really like it and thought I wouldn’t care for it but by the time the album dropped it was my favourite

[@SahloFolina2161]

True AND hearing it at the Royal Albert Hall? Inject it into my veins please-

[@jordannow13]

@@SahloFolina2161 ahhh that performance slapssss

[@lug1183]

omg right? also the live performances made it grow

[@kylegunsiorowski1317]

LOVE THIS SET UP ASH!!!!

[@diogodacosta_]

I have loved raye for years and i was so happy she opened for sza so i got to finally see her live and everybody was living for her like the crowd was giving her her 10s she deserves. During ice cream man i looked around and so many people were relating and crying it was just a beautiful moment i will never forget

[@rio__chakraborty]

It was me I was in the crowd CRYING 😭

[@madieleri]

i really hope raye gets the recognition she deserves, because this album man... best album that's been released in a while as far as production, vocals, lyrics & theme go. it's fucking amazing. she is just fab

[@SahloFolina2161]

I would say Grammys but idk if the Grammys deserves such talent...

[@genesismartinez3440]

She opened for Kali Uchis in her red moon in Venus tour and she was INCREDIBLE!! She has such a huge stage presence

[@knsmboygirlcry]

1:30 "Introduction." 2:05 "Oscar Winning Tears." 4:29 "Hard Out Here." 6:40 "Black Mascara." 9:03 "Escapism." (featuring 070 Shake) 10:30 "Mary Jane." 12:25 "The Thrill Is Gone." 13:40 "Ice Cream Man." 17:20 "Flip a Switch." 18:50 "Body Dysmorphia." 22:09 "Environmental Anxiety." 25:17 "Five Star Hotels." (featuring Mahalia) 26:19 "Worth It." 27:24 "Buss It Down," 28:19 "Fin."

[@anthonykilkx]

my girl finally getting her long overdue, well deserved flowers...with a banger album out

[@romeliapc4175]

SHE DESERVES A GRAMMY, AN EMMY, AN OSCAR AND A TONY. SHE IS AN EGOT WINNER, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN 😭🤌🏆💐 I'M SO HAPPY YOU REACTED TO THIS!! 😍 THIS IS PEAK STORYTELLING ✒️👌 THE PEN GAME HALL OF FAME KEEPS GROWING 👏😌👑⭐️✨️❤

[@manianiani]

literally one of (if not) my favorite album(s) that came out this year. i can't believe it took me this long to find out who this woman is and what she's capable of. thank you so much for reacting to it

[@hann4hh]

i couldn’t believe no one was talking about this album

[@jesielmiranda1148]

This album I swear it's such a breath of fresh air, I was so surprised in a good way, I'll keep rooting for her doing her own thing cause she's good and the best thing is she knows that

[@franna6185]

I never thought I could cry and shake my ass at the same time but Raye showed me anything is possible 😌🤝🏻❤️‍🩹

[@DivDavD]

Love this record! Before the album released, Raye did an intimate acoustic tour which was one of the most magical shows I’ve ever been to in my life! If you ever get the chance to see her live: DO IT! Also: Mahalia’s album comes out next week the 14th! 👀

[@lenapenrhyn2173]

I'm going to see her live this December and I'm so excited! Also can't wait until mahalia's album comes out i loveeeee terms and conditions sm

[@lionkrasniqi]

I saw her in Zürich, she was the opening act for SZA... she was INCREDIBLE.. vocals, stage presence, dance, EVERYTHING❤

[@ginikaakpata8829]

this album is just perfection 😍 edit: mary jane is my favorite bc i’m a blues girlie

[@hann4hh]

it’s so underrated i feel

[@paulanthony6834]

OMG IM SO HAPPY YOU DID A VIDEO FOR THIS ALBUMMMM ILY INTERNET MOMMM

[@CaioEvertonTB]

As soon as you see her performing The Thrill is Gone live I'm sure you're going to come to your senses about the song girl

[@brianafuller3976]

OH MY GOD IVE BEEN WAAIIITTTINNGGG FOR THIS!!!! Truly one of the best debuts to ever exist & to meeee the best album of the year so far like ugh I’m so happy for her🥹

[@_josephlevy]

i saw her live recently as an opener for sza, she was insanely talented and such a sweetheart !

[@djenae2852]

That album to me is beyond any other project. It feels like so much more than an album, I don't think I'm ever going to stop being completely in awe of Raye and that entire project.

[@RosellaCree9420]

I saw her while she was opening for Kali Uchis in Toronto, and I only ever heard escapism. There wasn’t that big of a crowd on the floor at the time and honestly not many ppl were giving her the energy she deserves and lowkey neither was I, exept for this one person who seemed to know all her songs which raye ackowledged that person and it was cool asf. She was so engaging with us and she had a live band which sounded amazing, a great human being. Afterwards I listened to her album and was blown away it’s so good I wasn’t expecting it, and the fact that she’s solo. Ugh omg I hope she goes on tour so I can truly appreciate her and her music

[@MarkRod268]

ooooohh we love the upgraded area, loved the other area but this one is amazing, and also i’m glad that you finally reacted to the best album of the year.

[@timmysantana427]

I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS FOR MONTHS!!!!!!! THANK YOU SM FOR YOUR TIME AND ENERGY TO HEAR AND RELEASING THIS MASTERPIECE🫶🏽

[@evelyntjex9786]

This album is just *chefs kiss* i love it so much it has been on repeat since it came out

[@geszek]

She's super talented. Her voice is amazing, she writes her music and she's also a producer. She literally co-produced almost all of the songs on this amazing body of work. It's easily one of the best albums this year. Period

[@leahhoffman9507]

YESSS I'm so happy you reacted to this!! Raye deserves all the success!!

[@josephbaldwin5657]

I think you’ll like her mini album “Euphoric Sad Songs” it’s not very HER like this but it’s just good pop music.

[@jordannow13]

Raye’s 2 younger sisters also write music, Abby, known as Absolutely has just started dropping her own music and is featured, wrote and produced 333 by Tinashe when she was 16/17

[@CallumboMagumbo]

Followed Raye for years and totally get feeling proud. Love everything she’s done and looking forward to what she does next

[@elsielaurenn]

ALBUM OF THE YEAR FOR ME SO FARRRR

[@dezthemerpuppy]

So many praises that I can give to Raye and her debut album, but all I can say for now is that Worth It is still my #1 track! Such a beautiful and joyful grown bop - not to mention has major Stevie Wonder vibes too. ✨

[@DannyMusicReacts]

Thank you for reacting to this! She deserves more recognition, I’m seeing her live in December can’t wait hear her live 😍🔥

[@stefankrstev8245]

RAYE is so underrated, she is whole package, the vocals, the instrumentals, everything is on point.

[@dd3056]

Not me doing a victory lap around the living room seeing this notification lol. Album of the year hands down, thank u Ashley for reacting!

[@Brenda-xy8eu]

when she says her twenty first century blues is now ours idk i just like sob??? loved Raye forever and seein g her get this is just everything

[@deanwright350]

"SHES FOREIGN?!!!?" that was so foreign for me to hear that about a local artist and I.. AM.. HERE FOR IT!

[@pharrell4448]

Saw her live at the sza concert in london and she was phenomal she is a vocalist. You can see the passion in her music and the drive. I kept seeing people say she is reminiscent of Amy Winehouse while still maintaining that individuality and I didn't see it until I saw her live. She's a gem and a treasure that deserves more flowers for her album not only escapism

[@LaurenBrodauf]

NO LIKE THIS ALBUM CHANGED MY LIFE. THE LYRICS THE VOCALS THE PRODUCTION. THE OLD JAZZ INFLUENCE. PERFECTION. ugh.

[@annasaddiction5129]

She was born in 1997 and it sounds like that. It sounds like her parental unit(s) were not ashamed to play their tracks from their times as they had music on their mind, it sounds like growing up early 2000s-2010s too and it sounds like a bit old but Gold Radio Station too. I for once, thank you Miss Ash for introducing me to a new Artists.

[@GundL0213]

I went to see Raye in a 500 people venue in a basement in Paris earlier this year and it was the BEST night. She is an absolute beast. I also believe it's the last time before a while that we get to see her in such a tiny venue, girl is on to the moon now :)

[@AdamusicVideos]

i cannot tell you how excited i was to see you posted this

[@edimsalvatella]

HOW IS SHE SKIPPING THE THRILL IS GONE!!! tastelesssss

[@samkearney6345]

I know I’m late but you need to listen to the live album at the royal album hall - it is perfection!!

[@TheMssims3lover]

Love the background setting. So, glad we're not getting standard youtube grass walls. This shows so much personality.

[@TimTimBzt]

Black Mascara is my favorite pop song to come out in a VERY long time

[@MaddyRadtke]

my favorite song on this album CONSTANTLY changes. its one of those

[@brittanywithlove]

I’m so happy you covered this album, I loved it! Environmental Anxiety was my favorite!

[@yaughn]

she signed my cd and vinyl at her concert, shes such a kind soul i LOVE her

[@aaronharris4549]

My 21st century blues, is now ours. Forever. Until next time, lots of love, RAYE ❤.

[@charlie.b.]

Yesss! So happy you reacted to this!

[@alexisgreene5479]

I CANNOT believe that I am just listening to this album. This is so so SO good! I'm extremely happy for her 💜

[@Arnau1868]

Omg so glad you reacted to this album! Definitely my favourite album of 2023!!! (Luv u and your videos btw :DDD)

[@evsia2745]

AHHH IM SO GLAD YOURE REACTING TO RAYE ASH!!!!♥️♥️this album is beyond amazinggg

[@konnieb9319]

Ice cream man is literally my song on this album. I have ptsd from even now when my bf touches me and he is so gentle and warm with me. My past with a family member doing what they did it was insane that it happened and even in high school I was touched by a classmate and it was just like now one should go through that. I think that song proves that we can be strong and we don’t let men run over us. Victims are nothing but strong woman in disguise and will always be.

[@Hannahrk3]

THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT IVE BEEN WAITING FOR

[@Desde94]

Ice Cream Man reminds me of Lady Gaga. She was abused by a producer before the Lady Gaga persona even exists, got pregnant and did an abortion… That situation impacted her SO MUCH that her physical health suffered a huge impact as well as her mental health. This business is sick 😷

[@keisha522]

let me just say this album is like one of my faves this year so far and the choice of albums in the background is amazingggg

[@bzzrck]

5 star hotels being so low is crazy album of the year fr tho, glad to see ash gave it a shot

[@its_starboy]

She was a surprise when it came to how much stage pressance she has. I saw her when she opened for Kali Uchis and she owned that stage.

[@Socpxd]

YESSS, I WAS WAITING FOR THIS!! Such a fantastic album!

[@teaolive]

love the set up!!!! it looks so cozy and i love the vinyls ❤ never listened to raye before, but i’ll be introduced to her with you!!! ✨

[@risscakes]

i cant believe you didn't like mary jane that one has my faveee vocals it just gives such a euphoric feeling (which I think is intentional bc yanno drugs) omg and the emotional rolercoaster of the thrill is gone being about a clearly abusive relationship but the chorus of "the thrill is gone" fading towards the end (like the thrill in the relationship) and finally accepting that the happiness of the abusive relationship was not there anymore giving her no reason to stay. I can really do this for the whole project I LOVE THIS WOMAN

[@LJMovieMaker]

Re "when does she take a breath?", RAYE talked about this in the video about "Escapism." that Rolling Stone's channel published a few days ago at around 10 minutes in. It sounds like she recorded each line separately, and the vocal tracks overlap, so she's starting one line before the prior one ends. RAYE said that she didn't really think at the time about how it would make it impossible to perform live with the same arrangement. I think for the live versions she slows it down, adds pauses in the middle of lines, or otherwise changes up the arrangement to make it work.

[@bkmrs]

I KNEW you were gonna love this album !!

[@aimen7337]

SHE BETTER WIN THAT GRAMMY IDFC

[@jtpx_]

Im SOOOOOO happy you've reacted to this masterpiece of an album! Raye deservers the ENTIRE world and beyond. I hope she keeps on blessing us with her voice, talent, music and poetry

[@lenaengel9115]

This is my favorite project this year by far. I'm so happy for Raye and excited to see what's next for her, especially because she is so versatile and she is an absolute beast live as well.

[@janey1232]

I looooove this album, it's really a work of art! I think the intro and outro are such a great way to tie the album, that is so diverse in sound, together

[@kndrj9608]

I love this album it is amazing 🫡😭❤️

[@Bigcdw123]

I HIGHLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! recommend listening to Mahalia's Music, her first album Love & Compromise, and her NEW ABLUM IRL SHE IS GOATED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@isto12]

You're great!!!! ❤️

[@ericwhhyyy]

Saw her open for Kali Uchis and she was incredible. So fucking talented ❤️🖤❤️

[@jordannow13]

yay yay yay yay yay. Internet mom delivering. this is album of the year btw

[@katyalbiston6408]

the new filming space is incredible omggggg i love ittt

[@shaggybro9330]

I'm so happy you reacted to this. Thank you Ash♥️♥️♥️

[@franklintrinh4324]

the evolution of ashley’s room 🥹🥹

[@mohamedmkacher_]

The video I never thought I needed. ASH THANK U ONCE AGAIN FOR MAKING MY DAY💌

[@aminabouba9730]

Raye has beeeen poppin i've been listening to her since i was in year 9 (9th grade) when she was releasing songs like friends and confidence, so i love how far she's come from those days to now, mahalia is another british gem that's been getting screwed over by her label for years and she too is just coming up! So please do her next :)

[@laurab.3874]

late to the party watching this, but you need to watch her live performance at royal Albert hall. trust me, its the most incredible live performances I've ever seen. and you understand the album even more

[@TwiGaga13]

Been waiting for this one!! Raye is so versatile and she’s exactly what the music industry needs! I’m seeing her live in November and I can’t wait!!!

[@ammon8909]

The studio room setup is BEAUTIFUL!!!!

[@somiyafaust180]

im so excited for this one

[@JordyJRT]

So fucking good so glad you’ve finally listened!

[@KingQueerio]

This album is EVERYTHING i needed rn!! I love the sound and feel of it! So soothing and fresh! ❤️ If she doesn’t win an award for this album I’ll be highly disappointed! She deserves it! ❤️❤️❤️

[@stefankrstev8245]

Fun fact: this album is inspired by Amy Winehouse, and RAYE wanted to mix old genres like soul and blues with modern music.

[@hermionesings]

yes! yes! yes! dreams do come true

[@Edith_1989]

I’m so so so glad you did a video on this incredible album! I’ve loved it since it was released

[@jacksonpoole13]

YESSSSS i’m so glad you finally reacted to this masterpiece of an album

[@shocksystem8675]

DIDN'T EXPECT YA TO TALK ABOUT RAYE BUT NICE THAT YOU DID. LOVE YOU SO SO MUCH ❤️❤️

[@armsamelia]

STOP I LOVE THIS ALBUM TY FOR DOING THIS. But real talk, we need more artists like her