Hey! Look at this! A good cover! What a refreshing change of events in these cold times. She looks beautiful, there’s a sense of movement and playfulness, and the whole thing is simply eye-catching. I’d pick this up at an airport newsstand. I assume the flower in her hair is an homage to Billie Holiday, whom Raye has often cited as a major influence; I also love that her hat is slightly reminiscent of an old-school microphone. The entire cover is just really solid.
The profile is a good one; Raye seems delightful and is very forthcoming in a way that celebs rarely are anymore. (I do wish someone had caught that the “Diana Washington” they name as one of Raye’s influences is actually the great Dinah Washington.) It gets into some serious topic, including substance abuse and sexual assault, as fair warning, but I’m going to share part of it that made me smile, about Raye’s upcoming concerts:
The final segment of the show—“Summer”—will be a dance party. She plans to have the word “RAYE” on a screen behind her onstage and transition it to say “RAVE,” which is an idea she got from a very drunk woman at one of her shows. (“I just want to find this girl to tell her thank you,” she says. “I hope she remembers.”)
I ALSO hope this drunk girl remembers this! She is going to be STOKED.
