Raye vows no new songs until love finds her, risking her career

Raye’s Journey to Independence and Artistic Control

Raye, a 28-year-old singer, has shared her thoughts on her upcoming album and the challenges she faces in her career. In a recent interview, she revealed that she won’t write a single song for her next album until she falls in love. This decision is part of what she calls a ‘silent protest’ regarding matters of the heart.

During her participation in The Sunday Times Young Power List 2026, Raye discussed how she has pushed herself to the brink over fears of losing her career if she stops working. She mentioned that even after the release of her second album, This Music May Contain Hope, she is already thinking about her next project. However, she has a unique approach when it comes to writing songs about love.

She said: ‘My third album, I think I’ve named it already. It’s going to be called And Then She Fell in Love. And I’m not writing a single song — be it one year, five years, ten years — until that chapter of my life begins. That’s my silent protest.’

Despite her focus on her career, Raye has little time to go on dates as she pushes herself hard with her schedule, touring, and working on her latest album between dates.

Raye added: ‘I think we’re in an age where you can feel like if you stop, no one’s going to care, or it’s all going to be over. And because I’ve worked so hard to get to this point, part of you is like — “feed the machine. Feed the beast.”‘

Her journey to success has not been easy. She spent years battling with music industry executives to release her first album in 2023, despite signing a four-record deal back in 2014. However, her perseverance paid off when her single, Where Is My Husband, became the first UK singles chart Number One of 2026, reaching the top spot after a 15-week climb.

Raye’s success comes after a long and difficult rise in the music business. Born Rachel Agatha Keen, she first signed with Polydor, but the partnership eventually ended after years of frustration, when multiple album releases were delayed or shelved. She has spoken openly about feeling creatively stuck and sidelined during that period.

After breaking away from her previous label, Raye rebuilt her career on her own terms, teaming up with independent distribution label Human Re Sources and taking full control of her music. This move proved pivotal, allowing her to release songs on her own schedule and reconnect with fans without compromise.

She now works with a small team that ‘meet in her living room’ after becoming an independent artist. Reflecting on the period of her life when she reached ‘breaking point’ with her previous record label, Raye said she ultimately just wanted ‘to be a person who’s in control of my life’ after misusing drugs and alcohol to get her through.

Over the past few years, that resolve has paid off in spectacular fashion. From critical acclaim for her debut album 21st Century Blues, to record-breaking wins at the Brit Awards and now a long-awaited return to the top of the singles chart, Raye’s journey has become one of pop’s most talked-about comeback stories.

The Sunday Times Young Power List 2026

The Sunday Times Young Power List 2026 features a diverse group of young individuals making an impact in various fields. Here are some of the notable names: