My 21st Century Symphony. (Live at the Royal Albert Hall)

This is the first project on here to be deemed worthy of the top rating, Instant Classic and it is for good reason. There was not much consideration, no second guessing the decision. There was one place it belonged.

The release of her album in Feb of 2023 was a milestone for her and a treat for the rest of us. Being free of her label and being able to release the body of the work that she always wanted to shows through the project and it’s been on rotation ever since. I was a fan of Raye’s music before with RAYE - Side Tape and various singles like Natalie Don’t but this album did all it needed to and more for anyone’s anticipation.

With that year being blessed by Raye’s music and her numerous wins throughout I didn’t expect it to get better in December when I was told that she had released a live version, and in the royal Albert hall no less… Did I think she could top what she had already done? Well she did, like holy shit she made a masterpiece.

Every song enhanced with the perfect blend of studio and the orchestra she brought with her. Her showing everyone why her voice is one of the best in the industry. The compositions for the tracks make amazing songs even better - the drop in Black Mascara just has such a different feel when it is done with the live instruments. It would still be a club banger if played for sure, but it also manages to be right at home in the Royal Albert hall. Or some of the interludes which still to this day give me goosebumps - Requiem especially will transport you a different place with the right headphones on.

This all culminates in the best rendition of her most popular song - Escapism where the harmony of the two styles comes to its epic conclusion.

It is the perfect end and makes it seem a little ironic that she ends it all with thanking everyone, because we should be thanking her. I have sat with this album up to writing this post and it gets better everytime I decide to go back, making the hard times better and the good times that much more enjoyable. I can spend infinitely more time gushing over this album - it wouldn’t be hard. All the recognition she is getting is well deserved and this album gets to take its rightful place on this website at the top of pile - truly exceptional.