i think people underestimate how much vulnerability takes actual aggression, and raye's definitely swinging hard by being that honest on wax. when i was in london catching her live, you could feel how every raw lyric was a punch she was throwing at herself first.
raye really said "im gonna make hope a whole personality" and honestly the swinging energy on this album would've absolutely destroyed in like 2008 when people still bought cds. pure audacity.
Raye's tracklist demonstrates genuine vocal range and production diversity that justifies the optimistic framing. The album genuinely delivers on its premise.