Raye has admitted she has become “more of a loner” following her rapid rise to fame.
The British hitmaker has explained that since breaking through in 2023, she has made a conscious effort to give herself time to “recharge”.
Speaking to ELLE, the singer – whose real name is Rachel Keen – reflected on the scrutiny that has accompanied her success, admitting it has at times left her feeling isolated.
“You overcome a mountain. Oh, guess what? Here’s a new mountain for you to climb,” she shared, adding that the challenges she has faced have left her feeling “very closed off”.
The Escapism star continued, “But because my dreams were coming true in my work life, I felt like I didn’t have a right to complain. So then I’m just internalising, bottling it.”
Discussing how fame has changed her interactions with others, Raye said she would “never allow myself to leave a bad impression with someone if I can help it”.
“It’s a lot of energy output. I’m an absolute people person, but when you’re always pouring out, it means I’m drawn to just coming home to recharge,” she continued. “I’ve become much more of a loner, really.”
While the shift initially left her feeling sad, the singer is now embracing the change as part of “practicing self-love”.
The Where Is My Husband! singer went on to reveal that her upcoming second studio album, This Music May Contain Hope, sits in the “real thick of that lonely place”.
Reflecting on how the record differs from her debut album, Raye, who has spoken openly about her struggles with addiction, noted that much of the new material was written while she was sober.
“A lot of My 21st Century Blues, I was up in the clouds, rolling a blunt,” she candidly shared. “I like that I’ve come down to earth to write these lyrics. I prefer myself like this. I’ve found discipline and abstinence in my life, and it’s a beautiful thing.”
She added, “I’ll have a nice glass of wine every now and then, but I’m no longer drinking to fix or bury or numb or escape.”
This Music May Contain Hope is set to be released on 27 March.
